From Tradition To Trend: Revolutionising Herbal Drinks With Heng Foh Tong
The traditional Chinese Medicine Hall wanted to captivate the younger generation with their ready-to-drink herbal beverages that are shelf-stable, healthy, lower in sugar, and convenient.
Traditional herbal drinks have always been popular among older individuals and are usually considered an acquired taste. Heng Foh Tong, a traditional Chinese Medicine Hall that has been around since 1957, had the visionary idea of pushing the boundaries of tradition in herbal drinks.
Determined to expand their customer base beyond the quiet heartlands, the owner of Heng Foh Tong partnered with NYP on a groundbreaking project aimed at transforming the customer experience of purchasing traditional herbal drinks. Collaborating with NYP's School of Design & Media, Heng Foh Tong not only gave the drink a new and trendy image, but the brand also successfully modernised its sales with a pioneering concept in Singapore – the first Interactive Vending Machine Kiosk for authentic Traditional Chinese Herbal Drinks.
Heng Foh Tong also collaborated with other schools in Nanyang Polytechnic to pioneer this innovative approach in traditional herbal drinks:
- The School of Business Management (SBM) conducted a market study to strategically position the herbal drink as a daily consumption choice for millennials.
- With the expertise of the School of Applied Science (SAS) in product formulation, shelf-life study, and food manufacturing, the project team helped Heng Foh Tong optimise their product, making it lower in sugar, enhancing processes to provide longer shelf life, and preparing it for mass production.
The owner shares his appreciation for the transformative experience:
“NYP's innovative solutions, ranging from customer insights and shelf-life stability to product launch strategies and modern bottle design, have played a pivotal role in revitalising our herbal drinks, making them appealing to the youth market. The development of this one-of-a-kind vending machine has added to the brand value of Heng Foh Tong.
The features incorporated in the kiosk set new standards with no past reference. Tommy and his groups of students are driven and pro-active in their efforts to launch the project and the team’s exceptional creativity and resourcefulness have been instrumental in this remarkable journey.”