In this issue

This month, we look into the needs of SMEs that make up most of the manufacturing industry in Southeast Asia. How can they improve their competitiveness in the midst of challenges? In terms of growing their business, for example, SMEs have very much to grasp, from understanding the importance of proper documentation to long-term planning. In the report, First urgent Total Quality Challenge to MSMEs in the Philippines, the author, Dr MifloraGatchalian writes that SMEs do not know where to begin their quality development and improvement efforts, as well as to sustain these efforts.Her team has been collaborating with the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology on how to assist SMEs. In the next issues of this magazine, she will share the highlights of this collaboration. In solving many of their operational problems, investing in digital transformation is a route SMEs must eventually take, says Franklin Kurniawan, CEO of Opex Consulting Group. His article, How smart factory technology can transform SMEs is a quick guide for those willing to make the change. In the world of ingredients, alternative proteins remain a vital part of the future of foods, despite the ups and downs in the industry as described by Mr Sam Gao, co-founder and senior analyst at Topguide Advisory Shanghai, in an article he shares with FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal.Meanwhile, Palsgaard has announced it is seeking partners to develop plant-based alternative to eggs. Also in this issue, Euromed shares an exclusive article on nutricosmetics, which includes the trends in beauty-from-within products that are impacting the market in Asia Pacifc. Know what’s important to consumers across China and Southeast Asia when it comes to hair and skin care.

FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal Magazine Description:

FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal is published 8x a year in English. The magazine provides the food & beverage processing industry in South East Asia with the latest information and technologies on ingredients, processing and packaging, food safety and regulatory issues. It offers practical solutions to improve productivity, reduce cost, and turn innovations into real competitive advantages as well as the latest market information, trade show reviews and videos, and people and company profiles, written by industry experts and correspondents across the region. Also included are exclusive content and articles from industry professionals throughout S.E. Asia and from Ringier's family of food industry magazines covering Greater China region, the Middle East and other parts of the world, inclduing International Food & Beverage Ingredients News for China, China Food Manufacturing Journal, Food Manufacturing Journal-Middle East and Modern Food Processing (India). The interactive content allows readers to make direct and immediate contact with advertisers/suppliers and featured companies in the editorial by clicking on the web site and email addresses in each issue, access online content in Ringier’s food website in English and Chinese (food.industrysourcing.com), and avail of video content through iTunes and Google Play.