Bakery and Snacks Businesses Encouraged to Grow through Innovation
John Hood, Invest Northern Ireland's Director of Food and Tourism,
recently encouraged over 40 producers from Northern Ireland's bakeryand snacks sector to explore innovation to support business growth.
Speaking at a seminar jointly hosted by Invest NI and CAFRE, John
said: "Northern Ireland's bakery and snacks sector remains very
competitive, with businesses continually needing to invest in
innovation and skills to remain profitable. Responding to the needs of the sector, as identified by the Agri-Food Strategy Board's
Bakery and Snacks sub group, this event will help to improve the
competitiveness and capability of local companies as they seek to
grow in ever competitive markets outside Northern Ireland.
"Together with CAFRE, we want to encourage more local businesses to explore innovative measures to support their growth and continued
contribution to Northern Ireland's Agri-Food processing industry.
"Extending a product's shelf life, for example, can help deliver
greater export opportunities, while implementing efficiencies in a
product's distribution can reduce costs.
"Innovation is key to success and Invest NI and CAFRE have advice
and support designed to help local producers in this sector to
embrace innovation in all its forms,"
The bakery and snacks sector is a very strong contributor to
Agri-Food in Northern Ireland and includes the production of bread, bread products, biscuits, buns, pies and pastry as well as hand-heldsnacks and food-to-go products. The delegates discussed the
importance of product innovation, market trends, and seasonal
opportunities. The group also got an overview of the support
available from Invest NI, as well as viewing the technical
facilities provided in the Food Innovation Centre at CAFRE.
Joy Alexander, Head of Food Technology, CAFRE, added: "We at CAFRE, Loughry Campus are delighted to be jointly organising and hosting
this important Food Innovation Seminar, targeted at the Bakery and
Snacks Sector. We have an agri-food industry which we can be
justifiably proud of, but the challenge which faces everyone is to
continue to develop world class products which meet the needs of an ever discerning consumer, wherever in the world that consumer may be.I encourage food companies to work in partnership with Invest NI
and Loughry and explore the many opportunities available for
innovation support."
Invest NI offers free advice and support available in areas such as business information, innovation and technology solutions, research and development, design, e-business, sustainable development, skillsand strategy solutions, trade development and food marketing.
Pic caption: Joy Alexander from CAFRE (left) and John Hood, Invest
NI, join the speakers at an innovation seminar for producers from
Northern Ireland's bakery and snacks sector. Pictured (right) is
Ronan McNamee, co-founder of Cuisine De France Ltd and founder of
BFree Foods Ltd and (sitting left-right) Keri Cummings, Category
Marketing Executive at Macphie of Glenbervie and Lisa Boswell,
Trade Marketing Manager, CSM Bakery Solutions.
recently encouraged over 40 producers from Northern Ireland's bakeryand snacks sector to explore innovation to support business growth.
Speaking at a seminar jointly hosted by Invest NI and CAFRE, John
said: "Northern Ireland's bakery and snacks sector remains very
competitive, with businesses continually needing to invest in
innovation and skills to remain profitable. Responding to the needs of the sector, as identified by the Agri-Food Strategy Board's
Bakery and Snacks sub group, this event will help to improve the
competitiveness and capability of local companies as they seek to
grow in ever competitive markets outside Northern Ireland.
"Together with CAFRE, we want to encourage more local businesses to explore innovative measures to support their growth and continued
contribution to Northern Ireland's Agri-Food processing industry.
"Extending a product's shelf life, for example, can help deliver
greater export opportunities, while implementing efficiencies in a
product's distribution can reduce costs.
"Innovation is key to success and Invest NI and CAFRE have advice
and support designed to help local producers in this sector to
embrace innovation in all its forms,"
The bakery and snacks sector is a very strong contributor to
Agri-Food in Northern Ireland and includes the production of bread, bread products, biscuits, buns, pies and pastry as well as hand-heldsnacks and food-to-go products. The delegates discussed the
importance of product innovation, market trends, and seasonal
opportunities. The group also got an overview of the support
available from Invest NI, as well as viewing the technical
facilities provided in the Food Innovation Centre at CAFRE.
Joy Alexander, Head of Food Technology, CAFRE, added: "We at CAFRE, Loughry Campus are delighted to be jointly organising and hosting
this important Food Innovation Seminar, targeted at the Bakery and
Snacks Sector. We have an agri-food industry which we can be
justifiably proud of, but the challenge which faces everyone is to
continue to develop world class products which meet the needs of an ever discerning consumer, wherever in the world that consumer may be.I encourage food companies to work in partnership with Invest NI
and Loughry and explore the many opportunities available for
innovation support."
Invest NI offers free advice and support available in areas such as business information, innovation and technology solutions, research and development, design, e-business, sustainable development, skillsand strategy solutions, trade development and food marketing.
Pic caption: Joy Alexander from CAFRE (left) and John Hood, Invest
NI, join the speakers at an innovation seminar for producers from
Northern Ireland's bakery and snacks sector. Pictured (right) is
Ronan McNamee, co-founder of Cuisine De France Ltd and founder of
BFree Foods Ltd and (sitting left-right) Keri Cummings, Category
Marketing Executive at Macphie of Glenbervie and Lisa Boswell,
Trade Marketing Manager, CSM Bakery Solutions.