The Meals and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched a brand new on-line platform to assist producers entry the assist wanted to undertake innovation and enhance their effectivity and productiveness. The Meals and Drink Innovation Gateway is a one-stop on-line instrument, developed by the FDF, which connects companies within the sector – significantly small and medium sized – with a variety of unbiased recommendation and experience, from business authorities by way of to universities and government-backed programmes.
This partnership will assist firms to develop and develop their companies by way of the adoption of present and new applied sciences, together with automation, AI and digital, in addition to enhancing their vitality effectivity, cut back waste and assist to sort out labour shortages.
The FDF’s chief government Karen Betts mentioned: “The UK’s food and drinks companies are the lifeblood of our properties and our communities. However these firms are sometimes small and wrestle to seek out the bandwidth and the precise assist to put money into the precise applied sciences and innovation to assist them develop to their full potential.
“The FDF’s Innovation Gateway is designed to supply a much-needed ‘single level of entry’ for firms in our sector which need to put money into innovation, automation, new applied sciences and environmental sustainability. It is going to assist to match companies with the precise assist, which already exists in a spread of various organisations throughout the UK however which may be tough to establish and entry.
“I’m pleased with the very sensible assist that FDF’s Gateway will provide to our dynamic sector, serving to food and drinks companies to develop and thrive, and to stay on the coronary heart of superior manufacturing and a inexperienced economic system. ”
Meals and Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP mentioned: “The food and drinks business is a cornerstone of our economic system and the biggest manufacturing sector within the UK. SMEs are on the coronary heart of this, making up 98% of food and drinks producers and using 146,000 folks throughout the nation.
“They’re world leaders in innovation and I’m delighted the FDF’s new Meals and Drink Innovation Gateway will likely be open to them, making it simpler for them to undertake new know-how.”
Following a profitable pilot with FDF member firms, the scheme is now open to all food and drinks producers throughout Britain.
Specialists on the earth of analysis and better schooling, such because the Superior Manufacturing Analysis Centre and the College of Lincoln, will provide a free session and manufacturing line stroll to establish areas of enchancment and potential options, whereas serving to companies to de-risk investments and implement the know-how.
