SternMaid Makes Malaysia Its Strategic Manufacturing Base in ASEAN

Since 1996, SternMaid has been a leading food manufacturing company in Europe. The company is a subsidiary of Stern-Wywiol Gruppe – an owner-managed group of companies comprising of 13 individual firms, headquartered in Germany that mainly specialises in functional food ingredients. A dedicated division of the group is also active in the animal feed ingredient market.

One of the newest manufacturing plants of the group is SternMaid Asia Pacific which was established in 2017 and is strategically located within the Iskandar Economic Zone. The plant is managed by a team of experts who understand the needs of the Asian markets while drawing from the group’s global experience. The company has obtained the JAKIM Halal, MOH HACCP (Ministry of Health, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), OU Kosher (Orthodox Union) and FSSC 22000 (The Food Safety System Certification) certifications – reflecting their commitment to adhere to the stringent quality management standards that the ASEAN region increasingly demands.

The state-of-the-art facility manufactures and supplies a range of complex food ingredients including micronutrients pre-mixes, enzyme systems, flour improvers and baking ingredients; and is capable of producing up to 5,000 metric tonnes annually with three (3) completely separate production lines.

Torsten Wywiol, CEO of Stern-Wywiol Gruppe notes, “Being located in Malaysia enables us to be close to our customers; allowing us to satisfy their need for shorter delivery times with a more efficient logistics process.”

With over 85 per cent of the output being exported to more than 30 countries in Asia, the Middle East and as far as South America, it was crucial for SternMaid Asia Pacific to be based in an economic hub near to the Group’s regional sales and product development resources in Singapore, and the international container port at Tanjung Pelepas. Malaysia was specially chosen to cater to the ever-expanding ASEAN region, as well as to complement the Group’s other plants and technical service centres in China and India. 

Besides manufacturing for its affiliated companies, SternMaid Asia Pacific also provides high-quality toll blending, small-scale testing and analytical services to external clients. From procurement of raw materials to fulfilment, the company is able to offer the whole service chain in contract manufacturing. 

SternMaid’s Asia Pacific Testimonial 

SternMaid Asia Pacific found that the overall process of setting up their operations in Malaysia to be well-supported by advice and assistance from MIDA as well as other government authorities. To date, the company has not met any major unexpected statutory or legal obstacles and was also pleased to be classified as a provider of essential products within the context of the Government’s COVID-19 management measures. 

The company suggested that while JAKIM defines the overall halal scope, the State authorities may indicate a slightly different approach, therefore consultation with State halal authorities may also benefit the companies.

A word of advice from SternMaid Asia Pacific for food manufacturers intending to set up operations in Malaysia, or particularly in Johor, is to consult directly with the state halal agency Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri Johor (JAINJ) in Johor Bahru (or the respective state halal agency in their location) beforehand about their plans in order to be fully aware of the state-specific requirements and procedures they may have to expect – and thus able to factor them into timelines and business plans.

The company testifies to the attractiveness of Malaysia as an excellent base to provide direct access to the ASEAN market. MIDA continues to welcome companies like SternMaid Asia Pacific to make Malaysia their location of choice and looks forward to actively supporting businesses in their aspirations and endeavours in the country.

Source: MIDA e-Newsletter December 2021