AsureQuality, a New Zealand government state-owned enterprise, has established AsureQuality Singapore to support and grow its customer base in the Asia and Middle East region. Its 5,000ft² laboratory facility offers both food chemistry and microbiology testing with an emphasis on dairy nutritional testing.

After the recruitment of key personnel, the purchase and validation of equipment as well as the set-up of quality and management systems, the site opened for business in April 2010.

Udit Singh, group manager laboratories and diagnostics, said that AsureQuality has been working in Singapore and the region for many years at both regulatory and industry levels. “We have worked hard to build up a network of relationships, and increased capacity and expanded testing regimes in our New Zealand laboratories so we can deliver a more efficient and comprehensive service,” says Singh. “Establishing a laboratory in the area was the next logical step. This allows us to maintain and develop our customer base and improve our service delivery through quicker sample turn-around times.”

Thien Kwee Eng, director of consumer businesses at the Singapore Economic Development Board, said that Singapore is committed to developing and strengthening its capabilities in the food and nutrition industry. “The opening of AsureQuality’s food chemistry and microbiology lab will be a boost to the food and nutrition industry in Singapore. The presence of food testing companies complements Singapore’s reputation as a trusted food hub.”

Several staff from the company’s laboratory in Auckland, New Zealand, have been seconded to the new site to assist in the establishment stages.