Creative centre for smells and tastes opens in Science Park
Singapore
THE world's largest privately-owned fragrance and flavour company, Firmenich, has planted its flag firmly in Singapore with the opening of its Global Perfumery Creative Centre.
The S$13 million state-of-the-art facility in Science Park Drive offers capabilities in areas ranging from perfume creation to technology innovation, and has laboratories and departments delivering consumer insights.
It was officially opened by chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) Beh Swan Gin, on Monday.
Firmenich, a 120-year-old Swiss firm, is still 100-per cent owned by the Firmenich family. It has a direct presence in more than 100 markets, with 30 manufacturing facilities and four research-and-development centres worldwide.
It is the world's second-largest fragrance and flavour company after the publicly-listed Givaudan - also a Swiss company - which is listed on the Swiss Exchange.
Firmenich's chief executive Gilbert Ghostine said: "As a company, science is important to us. We have almost 3,000 patents. We touch four billion consumers with our products every single day - from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night. ... In every house, you would have at least 20 brands that use Firmenich fragrances or flavours."
Last year, Firmenich's revenue rose about 8.2 per cent to 3.2 billion Swiss francs (S$4.5 billion).
Firmenich set foot in Singapore in 1974 with a representative office; in 1991, it opened a manufacturing plant in Tuas, which continues to operate.
Mr Ghostine said: "We have been in Singapore since 1974 - 43 years of significant engagement and commitment to Singapore. Our first chief executive officer was inspired by the vision of Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, so that's why 43 years ago, he decided to venture here and since then, our investment has accelerated year on year to where we are today."
He added that the firm will continue to invest in Singapore, as it is a strategic growth hub for Firmenich across Asia and the world.
The 3,500 sq m facility houses the company's leadership teams for three product categories - hair care, soap bars and detergent powders, combining its expertise in fine fragrances, body care and home care.
These fragrances are sold to clients, among which are luxury brands and household-product manufacturers, who use these fragrances to make their final products.
The creative centre houses facilities such as washing machines and dryers, shower stalls and hair salons so that scientists and perfumers can produce and evaluate fragrances.
There are even "climatic labs" which replicate the conditions of certain countries to test how fragrances hold up in the heat, cold or amid humidity.
Mr Ghostine said: "Ours is a very sophisticated industry. In fact, you have more astronauts in the world than you have perfumers, so this is a very refined and specialised metier." (Metier is French for job.)
Firmenich employs about 300 people in Singapore, including a few perfumers. It has 27 perfumers worldwide, including eight in Asia.
In support of a drive for greater inclusion and diversity at the workplace, Firmenich has included members from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped in its product testing; these visually-impaired people come in thrice a week as sensory panelists to assess its fragrance and flavours.
Dr Beh said in a statement that the new creative centre is a significant addition to Singapore's ecosystem for consumer businesses, and a strong testament to Singapore's attractiveness as a global business and innovation hub.
