Freshening Industries recognised at SIMEA 2026 for manufacturing automation, workforce upskilling, and sustainable operations
Freshening Industries Pte Ltd was named the recipient of the Most Promising SME award at the Singapore Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence Award 2026 (SIMEA 2026), in recognition of its manufacturing transformation and digitalisation efforts. The award highlighted the company’s progress in automation, productivity enhancement, and workforce development within Singapore’s manufacturing sector.
The recognition was announced as part of SIMEA 2026, an industry platform organised by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, which brings together manufacturers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to acknowledge innovation and excellence across the sector. The awards served as an industry engagement initiative aimed at promoting sustainable manufacturing and digital adoption among small and medium enterprises.
Freshening Industries’ journey reflected the evolution of a locally founded enterprise into a technology-enabled manufacturer. Established more than three decades ago as a small operation supplying individual sachet wipes, the company has expanded its portfolio to include household hygiene brands such as Zappy and medical-grade products under HospiCare. Its operations have since scaled to serve both domestic and international markets.
As part of its transformation, the company developed a new production facility in Loyang, integrating an automated four-way robotic shuttle storage system. The automation enabled round-the-clock operations, increased output by more than 50 per cent compared to earlier manual processes, and enhanced workplace safety by reducing physically demanding tasks and limiting direct human contact with products.
Alongside automation, the company maintained its workforce size while prioritising skills upgrading. Employees previously engaged in manual handling were retrained to operate and manage advanced automated systems, aligning productivity improvements with workforce development objectives.
The company also incorporated sustainability measures into its manufacturing model. Following its relocation in late 2024, Freshening Industries reduced energy consumption by approximately 50 per cent through the use of solar power and optimised operational design, including energy-efficient overnight production runs.
The Most Promising SME category at SIMEA 2026 was supported by Lenovo, which underscored the role of technology adoption in strengthening SME competitiveness. In addition, Moh Yan Ting, Managing Director of Freshening Industries, received the Next Generation Leadership (Under 40) award, recognising leadership continuity and innovation within the manufacturing sector.
The award marked a milestone for Freshening Industries as it continues to expand its manufacturing capabilities and explore new markets, including the Middle East, contributing to Singapore’s broader manufacturing and innovation landscape.
Source: SMF
