Starting with a passion for skincare and a keen understanding of chemistry, Daniel Low forged a path in the beauty industry, only to be met with early obstacles. Undeterred, he trained in Germany and laid the groundwork for what would become one of the region's top OEM manufacturers. Over 30 years, Biocomm has grown from a small lab to a 60,000 sqft powerhouse, with a presence in 38 countries. From pioneering skincare to successful diversification into environmental care and groundbreaking food state supplements, Biocomm exemplifies a commitment to quality and visionary leadership, always staying a step ahead in the pursuit of excellence.
How did you start Biocomm?
I started many years ago in the skincare industry, recognizing the potential of the Beauty Market, people care about how they look and everyone needs some form of skincare. I actually began by importing products from Japan and the US and branding them under my name. But it was tough in the beginning due to high investment costs and strict regulations from the HSA. We needed the list of ingredients due to HSA requirements, but the overseas manufacturers at that time were reluctant to comply, perhaps out of fear that we would learn their formula.
Realizing the challenges, I decided to set up my own small lab. I went to train in a top formulations lab in Germany, combined with my own knowledge on Chemistry, this became the foundation of Biocomm in 1994. Eventually we begun manufacturing for other brands, and that grew to become our core business.
In 2003, when SARS hit Singapore, I diversified into environmental care, focusing on air quality systems. My air purifiers and sanitizers were highly successful under the brand antibac2k. I even patented a formulation for removing odors from smoking areas. We were hugely successful in Japan, where antibac2K became a household name. Eventually, my distributor bought over the company, recognizing the successful brand, and I transitioned from manufacturer to partner in Japan.
Are there any particular milestones that you’re proud of?
I think our growth has been very steady but gradual. We’ve been around for 30 years. And in that span of time, we’ve solidified our position as one of the top OEM manufacturers in Singapore for high quality products, including skincare and things like mouthwash or petcare. If you see personal care products on the shelves that says “Made in Singapore”, there’s quite a good chance we helped make them. We’ve grown from a 2,000 sqft facility to about 60,000 sqft today.
What do you think has been the reason behind Biocomm’s phenomenal success?
Well, we have an obsession with quality. I have a very high expectation in selecting the the right products and right raw materials to go into the finished formula. In fact that’s the meaning of our brand name. Biocomm means Bio”Commitment”. We’re committed! We’ve earned a reputation for ourselves over the years.
Secondly, when customers come to Biocomm, not only do we help them with the formulation, but we help with the ideas, packaging, clinical studies, possibly export licensing. It’s one big turnkey project. We’re determined to help our customers succeed.
What’s next with Biocomm?
I’m always looking at new opportunities. I met a top scientist in New Jersey that introduced me to the concept of Food state supplements. Food states supplements intrigue me because the nutritional value in modern food has diminished due to genetic changes like GMO. What we consume often lacks nutrition, and consuming large quantities might lead to unwanted weight gain.
Our new food state supplement range is something we’re very proud of, ensuring 100% bioavailability. Take vitamin C as an example. Common supplements offer 500 mg or 1000 mg in a tablet, but one orange only contains about 70 mg of vitamin C. You don't need 200 oranges per day; just one or two oranges in food form is enough for absorption. In other words, the two may seem the same on surface, but are complletely different fundamentally. Not all supplements are created equal.
The supplements we offer are higher in price because they are not made synthetically; we grow them. We inject nutrients and minerals into baker's yeast and encapsulate it into a fine capsule, enriching it with just enough minerals for our body. I’m personally very passionate about this, as I’ve been a beneficiary of this technology. Having been through six near-death experiences due to various health issues, I'm now healthy, fit, and a sportsman. I want to help re-educate Singaporeans about nutrition and what I’ve learned.