Quality and standards certs give SMEs an edge over rivals

Survey also shows 70% of businesses gain better access to exports, global opportunities

- Prisca Ang

In Jurong Cold Store's control room, automated alarms immediately sound when the temperature in its cold room rises above minus 18 to minus 20 deg C.

Just over a year ago, a maintenance team had to monitor the temperature in the cold room in the warehouse in Chin Bee Drive round the clock.

The cold chain logistics company also has guidelines specifying that frozen food items, such as salmon and wagyu beef, cannot be kept in warmer conditions for more than 30 minutes after leaving the cold room and before they are delivered to customers.

These and other measures were introduced to improve the quality control processes at the company, and they have helped to attract more business from overseas.

Since adopting accredited certification on Singapore Standard (SS) 668, the firm has entered new markets such as Chile and Norway, and received queries from China businesses about using its services.

Jurong Cold Store managing director Darren Lee said: "Producers are using our facility to export their goods to Singapore as they trust our system." The programme was launched last October and includes specific requirements for temperature controls in the cold chain management of chilled and frozen products.