SINGAPORE: Singapore factory tours are becoming more popular with the public. The Yakult factory in Senoko is one of those seeing a huge demand for its tours, according to Malay Mail.
Besides producing millions of bottles of probiotic drinks, the company gives visitors a chance to learn about their popular probiotic drink.
After operating for over 30 years, the factory has welcomed more than 470,000 visitors through over 12,000 tours. Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, interest in these tours has surged, and the factory is now fully booked for the rest of the year.
The factory’s tours attract many visitors, including 23-year-old Tao Sheng, a final-year medical student.
After seeing a post on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, she quickly signed up for a tour in September. As a long-time fan of Yakult, Ms Tao was excited to discover more about the drink’s health benefits and how it is made.
“You can see the machine (that produces Yakult). Previously, I thought Yakult was just something shipped (from abroad),” she said.
A Yakult representative told TODAY that the response to tour bookings has been overwhelming and that the factory is “fully booked for this year.” He noted that interest in these tours increased after semi-lockdown restrictions were eased during the pandemic.
The Yakult Factory began operations in Hillview in 1978 before moving to its current location on Senoko Avenue; it typically offers two-weekday tours, with additional sessions scheduled during school holidays.
However, according to Yakult’s representative, despite the demand, they cannot increase the number of tours due to other work commitments.
Growing interest in factory tours
Singapore consumers have become interested in getting a closer look at the brands and products they consume or use.
Tour demand is also growing for places like the NEWater Visitor Centre, despite closing its doors to the public on July 31, where visitors previously enjoyed insights into the water filtration process.
This has pushed companies to open their doors to the public as demand for factory tours increases.
Registered charity My Community has organised over 50 sessions of its Open My Factory tour series since 2023, charging about S$20 per participant. These tours have welcomed more than 1,200 people, consistently reaching near full capacity.
Kwek Li Yong, the executive director of My Community, noted that the interest spans all age groups.
Singapore factory tours provide an “unfiltered view” of how businesses work
Factory tours in Singapore differ from those often seen abroad, focusing on selling products to tourists. Local tours aim to give visitors an “unfiltered view” of how things are made.
For instance, the Tower Transit Bulim Bus Depot tour, one of the popular tours in the Open My Factory series, attracts bus fans and curious locals who want to learn about the bus maintenance bays and workshops.
Twenty-year-old Muhammad Noor Ridzuan Jumaat, who took part in a recent tour, was surprised to discover how a small team manages the operations of over 60 bus services.
He also learned more about specific details, like the role of nut caps on bus wheels and their importance for safety and maintenance.
Lora Lee, a My Community guide for the Tower Transit tour, noted that the bus depot tour initially attracted bus enthusiasts but has recently seen more general public interest.
She said, “Before I did this tour, I also thought, what’s there to talk about at the bus depot? But when I went there, my mind opened up. Seeing how they described their work and operations, it’s not an easy industry. So it appeals to people’s hearts and builds compassion.”
Mr Kwek added that participants were mainly curious about familiar brands and services. He added that people have found an appreciation for how everyday items, like soy sauce bottles, are made, even if they often play a background role in everyday lives.
According to Mr Kwek, the Open My Factory series highlights the “unsung heroes” behind Singaporean brands, fostering meaningful conversations.
How businesses benefit from factory tours
For companies, these tours build brand awareness and deepen customer connections. According to Yakult, they provide tours to educate the public about the science behind their product.
Mr Kwek said they work with companies to help them connect better with customers and share their stories. In addition to branding benefits, businesses aim to inspire employees to take ownership of their roles and foster a sense of pride in their work.
John Ng, assistant factory manager at Tai Hua Food Industries, has conducted over 80 tours in seven years, including monthly public tours and private groups.
During the tours, he answered customer questions about which sauces pair best with various dishes and shared his journey of advancing from his initial role as a quality assurance officer on the production line.
He noted that when people come for the tours, “it’s very refreshing to the workers because it also gives them a certain pride about their job.”
/TISG
Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)