New initiatives amid mounting operational pressures also aimed at boosting efficiency
[SINGAPORE] Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) on Monday (Oct 13) launched two programmes to help food and beverage (F&B) companies boost productivity through process optimisation and centralised food preparation.
The two new programmes are expected to support over 1,000 F&B businesses over the next two years, EnterpriseSG said.
The initiatives were developed based on findings from its new Food Services Productivity Report, which identified systematic process optimisation and centralised food preparation as “critical success factors” for the industry.
The F&B Process Optimisation Programme (POP) will help companies review and optimise outlet processes, with appointed vendors, focusing on manpower efficiency, revenue growth and customer satisfaction, said EnterpriseSG.
With help from four approved consultancy firms, businesses will also get guidance on outlet space optimisation, technology implementation and menu design.
The FoodX programme supports companies in centralising food preparation by matching them with suitable contract manufacturers from an expanded network of over 60 such food manufacturing and equipment manufacturing partners.
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The Singapore Productivity Centre will match participating F&B businesses with suitable food manufacturers based on their specific needs, said EnterpriseSG.
Eligible companies can also receive up to 50 per cent grant support to reduce initial outsourcing costs.
An earlier pilot of the FoodX programme in 2024 successfully supported 200 F&B outlets’ outsourcing activities, said EnterpriseSG.
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“We understand the pressures that F&B companies are facing today, from managing operational costs to evolving market demands,” said Jeannie Lim, assistant managing director for services and growth enterprises at EnterpriseSG.
“As most F&B companies are SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), EnterpriseSG will continue to facilitate collaborations… to enable F&B companies to leverage shared resources and unlock economies of scale to achieve cost savings.”
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, who was present at the launch, said the goal of the report was to develop a practical tool to measure business performance and identify areas of improvement. This will help F&B businesses to stay competitive in an evolving market.
By measuring the businesses’ sales per man-hour, they can use this to gauge their standing against their counterparts, said Low. The report also highlights what top performers are doing differently.
Digital adoption
Separately, EnterpriseSG announced a partnership with UOB to accelerate digital and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across F&B companies, with services and solutions to be available from 2026.
The memorandum of understanding between EnterpriseSG and UOB will focus on three areas: advisory services on selecting digital and AI-enabled solutions; a curated suite of digital solutions offered at preferential rates; and joint seminars and workshops hosted by both entities.
The partnership will enable EnterpriseSG to accelerate adoption of digital solutions across the F&B sector by tapping UOB’s network of SMEs and partner networks. More details will be shared later.
“We cannot afford to overlook the power of technology… to transform the way businesses operate,” said Low. “Digital tools and AI are no longer optional, and they are… essential for productivity and sustainable growth.”
