About Us
THE SINGAPORE FOOD MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION
The Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association (SFMA) is a professional and active trade association formed in 1967 by a small group of like-minded local food manufacturers with the purpose of developing and promoting the local food manufacturing industry. Members comprises of small family concerns, small and medium enterprises, public-listed companies, traders and various supplier companies related to the food industry.
Today SFMA, with more than 260 members, has evolved into the apex body of the food manufacturing industry of Singapore and is well-recognized and endorsed by Singapore governing bodies like International Enterprise (I.E) Singapore and SPRING Singapore.
SFMA MISSION:
- To unite local food manufacturers for mutual benefits and growth.
- To enhance the co-operation between food manufacturers and supporting industries in the hope of greater economies of scale and bargaining power.
- To act as a bridge between the relevant government authorities and the food manufacturers so as to respond effectively to the government’s policies in helping to promote the development of the food industry.
- To act as the primary intermediary for local and foreign business matching and contacts.
Playing a key & pro-active role in representing the interests of the local food manufacturing industry, SFMA has gone beyond the promotion of business relations among members and their local development. The organisation is poised to embark into a series of projects to assist her members in going global in the face of changing competition.
OUR ROLE HAS PRESENTLY EVOLVED TO INCLUDE:
- Initiating and organizing trade-study and mission trips.
- Organizing local food exhibitions, trade fairs.
- Participating in overseas food exhibitions, trade fairs.
- Providing work improvement courses such as Food Hygiene Management, productivity courses, Quality standards practices etc.
- Acting as the voice of the local (small to medium) food manufacturers through dialogue sessions with governmental agencies to assist in industry policy formulation, implementation and relevancy.
- To enhance regional and international trade and business-matching opportunities for members while serving as the gateway for food-related foreign investments in Singapore.
On the international front, SFMA has over the years, forged strategic alliances and relationships with our foreign counterparts in numerous countries. Such alliances have proven invaluable in trimming the learning curve when venturing overseas and providing a network of connections for companies keen on obtaining valuable market information, doing feasibility studies as well as locating the right overseas partners.
REGULAR ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY SFMA
Business Matching Sessions
SFMA knows that the opening up of business opportunities to our members is one of the most important services we can provide for our members. To this end, we have organised many business- matching sessions between visiting foreign missions and members at our association.
In recent years, such sessions are also held annually during our international trade show, the Asia Pacific Food Expo to capitalize on the participating overseas & local food manufacturers.
Trade missions and Trade Fairs
Outgoing trade and study missions and fairs have been organised to help members seek new markets and expand their operations overseas.
Networking Sessions
Networking is without a doubt one of the best ways to market oneself.
SFMA offers an excellent platform for members to network and explore possible business collaborations through social events like golf and various formal and informal get-together(s).
Dialogues with government agencies
Aimed at promoting and fostering strong links with our government agencies, SFMA spearheads various seminars and dialogues with our government agencies on a regular basis. Some recent dialogues included topics on countering the SARS/Bird flu menace and FTAs clinics.
Food Exhibitions
Singapore Food Expo
In 2000, the first Singapore Food Expo (SFE) was organised and held at Singapore Expo. The objective was to promote local brands at home, in a difficult economic period then. The Show’s success was beyond our expectations. SFE has now become an annual Calendar event widely anticipated by consumers and visitors alike.
Asia Pacific Food Expo
With overwhelming evidence that the food and beverage industry is accelerating rapidly, SFMA once again took the initiative to organize ASIA PACIFIC FOOD (APFE) in 2004, an international trade & consumer show featuring exhibitors from China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Middle East, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam & Europe etc.
APFE enjoys the unique status as the region’s first international food & beverage consumer exhibitions. In 2005, APFE drew the participation of 130 booths and registered more than 1,400 trade visitors and drawing more than half a million consumer visitors!
We are pleased to say that APFE was so well received that we have extend it into a yearly affair.
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Industry Capability Upgrading Programme (ICAP)
This programme provides companies in the industry with a framework for collectively assessing and addressing emerging trends and challenges; determining the gaps in technology and capabilities that need to be addressed to enhance their competitiveness; envisioning the future and developing a strategic capability upgrading plan for creating future sustainability and growth.
ICAP facilitates the collaboration of companies in industry through the following four key components:
- Platform for collaboration;
- Industry Consultants;
- Financial Assistance;
- Capability Upgrading Plan.
Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme (LEAD)
The Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme (LEAD) is a multi-agency effort by the government to enhance industry and enterprise competitiveness. It aims to achieve this through partnerships with industry associations which are willing to take the lead in industry development and drive initiatives to improve the overall capabilities of SMEs in their industries.
Support will be provided to develop SMEs’ capabilities and industry development for key sectors. The development areas can cover, but are not limited to the following:
- Technology & Infrastructure;
- Expertise & Managerial Competence;
- Business Collaboration;
- Intelligence & Research;
- Advisory & Consultancy.
To provide and facilitate for LEAD, the association has set up Export Club, SME Club and Food Innovation and Development Resource Centre (FIDRC) respectively.
Export Club
The Export Club has been set up to meet the following objectives:
- To nurture 25 (or 10%) of our members to become globally-oriented food companies. (Globally-oriented companies being defined as companies generating at least S$30 million revenues of which 30% of such revenue is export-derive.)
- To prepare 60 companies or 25% of our members to grow through export by 2010.
Export Club Activities:
- Setting up of overseas "showroom";
- Conducting products promotion abroad;
- Organising export missions/road shows;
- Participating in trade exhibition;
- Promotion of "Tasty Singapore".
SME Club
The SME club is set up to meet the following objectives:
- To ensure most of the small food company to grow through economic restructuring and keen competition;
- To prepare 25 food companies to work with Institute of Higher Learning on research projects relating to process upgrading and product innovation.
SME Club Activities:
- Business development planning;
- Modern business mindset training;
- Shared service;
- Strategic alliances;
- Economic grouping;
- Competency & capability services;
- General management training.
Food Innovation and Development Resource Centre
The Food Innovation and Development Resource Centre is set up to meet the following objectives:
- Co-operation with IHL on product development and information dissemination.
- Sourcing of technical management and industrial information for members’ references.
- Assisting members in sourcing for information and experts.