boardroom connection
http://www.industrysourcing.com July 2019 FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal^7
forming, sausage stuffing, and to the packaging are done by hand.
The company has applied for a SET-UP loan from the Department
of Science and Technology of the Philippines (DOST) for the
procurement of processing machines. SET-UP (Small Enterprise
Technology Upgrading Programme) is one of the DOST flagship
programmes where Filipino entrepreneurs in Metro Manila can
avail of funding and help in acquiring appropriate technologies
and machinery. Through this SET-UP loan we manage to get a
vacuum sealer and a bigger industrial size mixer. We plan to apply
for a meat slicer later this year to help in further mechanising our
production and food processing operations. Once we fully expand
our operations in future, we will be looking to automating most of
our production processes.
What quality standards have you adopted with the food
processing and production?
When a batch of products is done, this is promptly packaged,
sealed and flash frozen to maintain freshness and quality. I also
implement a strict policy of “first-in, first-out” system. This ensures
our customers that every LJD item they buy from the local stores or
delivered to their doorstep is freshly made. For safety and hygiene,
we follow a strict regimen of a clean and sterile work environment.
All production personnel are dressed in aprons, hairnets, and
equipped with gloves and face masks.
You mentioned applying for DOST loans, what other
local government agencies have you sought assistance?
Apart from the SET-UP loan granted by the DOST, I personally
applied for more training seminars on business and financial
management, marketing and sales, from the government agency.
These programmes have connected me with the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) with regards to access to more food
processing seminars and participation in food events like the
Megatrade Food Exhibitors event in 2018 at the SM Megamall.
Being a small business, what problems or issues did you
encounter when securing government certificates and
approvals?
Before we started LJD Foods, we had to secure registration
from the DTI office and the mayor’s office. Filings for the
registrations were actually relatively easy and smooth. Getting
certification as far as permits and nutritional information on our
packaging.How do you market and promote LJD products?
We began marketing our products through word of mouth.
Family and friends recommended us to their family and friends
and our customer base grew. We also participated in food
exhibitions and events to build and expand our brand. The support
has been great so far and it has even landed LJD Foods on TV
guesting shows like “Cusina ni Nadia” (Nadia’s Kitchen). We just
recently ventured into online sales and marketing, spearheaded and
managed by my son.What’s next for your company?
It has always been my dream to see LJD products in the big
supermarket stores freezers across the nation. That would be
a dream come true for me. Once we’ve hit that, the next goal
would be to venture into exporting our products in the Asia-
Pacific region. Some of our products are actually being brought
by Filipino expats to other countries in their carry-on luggage.
Maybe in the future, they wouldn’t have to do that.What is the key to your continued growth and success?
Like all the food I cook for my family, a touch of love and
care goes into each and every recipe and food preparation of LJD
products. Others tease me that I am a bit slow in the expanding
my business. I like to take my time to be cautious and study
about everything before I take the next a big step. One thing I
can say is that I don’t quit. I may go slowly but I will never stop.
I think that is the reason for our continued success.Seasoned and ready to cook tocino (pronounced as tosino, a sweetly flavoured meat) and burger patties are
popular with people who don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen like busy mothers and people on the go.
Boardroom Connection: Lulu Jamiro Domingo
Position: Owner
Company: LJD Foods
T: +63918 516 5220
E: [email protected]
A: 14 Sampaguita Street, Villa Teresa Subd, Marulas,
Valenzuela City 1440
W:https://ljd-food-products.business.sitepermits and certifications are quite
stress-free, unlike before when red tape
and bureaucracy held up applications
for months and even years. The local
government departments and offices
have streamlined the processes for
small business owners with regards to
getting the appropriate papers to run
a business. The only hassle in filing
is the long lines of people applying
for the same permit. But I guess that
means a lot of business are starting
and the economy is doing better.
In addition to the DTI and mayor
permits, we have also secured Bureau
of Internal Revenue (BIR) certification
and the regular sanitary permits from the
mayor’s office. Our next goal is to secure
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)