Perks available for F&B firms wanting to adopt automation

SINGAPORE: Capital and size remain two barriers that food and beverage (F&B) operators face when it comes to adopting automation. But there is help available, according to Senior Minister of State Lee Yi Shyan.

There are available incentives offered by SPRING Singapore which small and medium—sized enterprises (SMEs) can tap on to boost productivity.

So far, SPRING has pumped S$2.6 million into its capability development scheme to support automation and workflow design projects for 25 F&B companies.

Tung Lok Group, for instance, is a beneficiary of automation. They said F&B chains should act fact fast when it comes to adopting technology and reap productivity gains.

All this falls under the umbrella of the S$75 million Food Services Productivity Plan, which has benefited about 100 companies in Singapore so far.

Mr Lee said: "I think this re—structuring can happen if these food companies can come together and specialise in areas that they’re good at.

"We know that manufacturing processes requires economies of scale. You need volume to drive the investment worthwhile and I think the RAS for instance, will be in a good position to mobilise them and work together."

—CNA/ac