Food

Spire is proud to have delivered a substantial body of work in food & beverages products, ranging from market entry studies and market opportunity reports to full-blown marketing strategy audits for food export associations.

Our work in the food & beverages and agricultural commodities space has addressed categories ranging from primary produce, processed foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to non-food agricultural products such as palm oil and wood.

Product categories we have studied include bottled water, organic food, sugar confectionaries, edible nuts, maltose syrup enzymes, wine, palm oil, jatropha and crop protection.

Issues & Opportunities

Specialty Maltose Syrup – Holistic Market Environment Research in China

A leading global biotechnology company producing enzymes and micro-organisms had observed growth in the specialty syrup market. It sought to obtain a deeper understanding of the market and customer demand trends.

The objectives of the study were to forecast the size of the overall market, gauge customer demand patterns (i.e. applications, functions and compositions of specialty maltose syrups), as well as understand available products and prices in the market and the strategies of competing specialty syrup producers.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Raisins – Market Environment Research, Strategy Audit and Consulting in Asia

A Western trade association of raisin producers had been losing market share to suppliers from low-cost export locations in Asia.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Assess the position of our client in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in the context of the local raisin market
  • Assess the effectiveness of their current marketing strategies
  • Recommend a road-map for growing export sales in the region

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Mixed Alcoholic Beverages – Market Entry Study for Premium Craft beer in China

A US association of craft beer producers sought to tap onto the growing westernization and affluence of the Chinese consumers and gain entry into the Chinese beer market.

The objective of the study were to assess the current size and potential of premium beer industry in China, with a focus on imported beer and western brands. The client aimed to gain insights on the profile of target customers, alcohol consumption patterns, decision making process and degree of acceptance towards the client’s new beverage.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Infant nutrition – Competitor Benchmarking for Baby Food Products in Indonesia

A leading global baby food products manufacturer planned to restructure its sales force to compete more effectively, as well as increase its market share in Indonesia.

The objective of the study was to determine direct competitors’ sales force structure, remuneration bands, training and development programs and field strategies, so as to better equip our client to defend and increase its market share.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Edible nuts – Market Environment Research and Strategy Development for Edible Nuts in Southeast Asia

After seeing consistent growth in the US and European markets, an American trade association supporting the nut industry turned its attention to the burgeoning markets in Southeast Asia (SEA).Spire was tasked to support its development of a business plan to boost sales in Southeast Asia.

The objective of the study was to determine the position of the trade in SEA, so as to better equip our client to defend and increase volume sales and market share vis-à-vis substitute food products.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Biscuits – Strategic Market Entry and Partner Selection Research in China

A leading Asian producer of sugar confectionery products had been exporting to the burgeoning China market and was considering launching biscuit products to expand its market presence.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Assess the potential of the biscuit industry in China to ensure a successful launch of the client’s products
  • Identify and recommend suitable business partners in advertising, packaging and distribution

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Outboard motor – Market entry study in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam

A Japan-based Global Fortune 500 manufacturer sought to launch a new outboard motor engine product to replace crude multi-purpose engines adapted for use in unorganized fishing and passenger transport boats.

The objectives of the study was to develop market sizing, forecast, end-user purchasing evaluation, channel structure and competitor analysis (including products and pricing) for outboard motors.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive parts logistics – Market entry study for ASEAN distribution centre

A leading global motorcycle manufacturer in Japan sought to grow its aftermarket parts business in ASEAN by establishing a distribution centre within the region.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Assess the feasibility of developing the ASEAN market for specific aftermarket parts, accessories and lubricant oil
  • Recommend the most suitable location for their ASEAN region distribution centre

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Car audio – Customer satisfaction study for standard car audio in Malaysia and Indonesia

A leading Japanese car audio manufacturer operating in Thailand sought to understand the satisfaction level of Malaysian and Indonesian car owners with their standard car audio products as well as consumer plans on car audio purchasing.

The objectives of the study were to understand customer satisfaction levels on standard car audio and obtain inputs from motorists regarding the ideal specifications of car audio.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive price tracking – Passenger car tire price tracking study in Singapore and Korea

A leading global manufacturer and distributor of rubber products saw a decline in sales of its passenger car tires in Singapore and Korea. An internal discussion led to the conclusion that pricing was the root of the problem – competitors were simply more aggressive in their pricing strategies.

To increase its market share, the client sought to benchmark the prices of its competitors’ products that were targeted at various customer segments in Singapore and Korea.

The objectives of the study were to understand how the competitors positioned their products in the relevant markets and devise a counter-strategy.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive – Mystery shopping study to evaluate service quality of sales force

An American multinational automaker in Vietnam, which owned one of the largest investment capital projects in the country, viewed customer service quality as a key performance metric. The client considered its dealers’ sale force as a key success factor in affecting this metric, and had been training Sale Consultants (SCs) at its dealers for years. As such, the client wanted to study the customer service quality and sales service quality of the dealers.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Maintain customer service quality at high standards
  • Gain an understanding of customers’ assessment of the service quality and offer recommendations for improvement

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive parts logistics – Automotive supply chain management improvement consulting in Indonesia

A leading global motorcycle manufacturer in Japan intended to give a face-lift to its Indonesian arm’s supply chain management, so as to lower costs and increase customer satisfaction as well as scalability.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Analyze the current supply chain
  • Benchmark against industry role models
  • Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency