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James Cherry, group environment
ood and drink manager at Greencore Company which
is using innovative packaging to reduce
waste and increase profitability
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a comprehensive package of business can build relationships, find out what’s Innovation and Resource Centre is also
support has been established to help available and be part of enterprise and being developed. “We noticed that many
regional food and drink producers innovation in their sector.” clients wanted access to something like
innovate and compete more effectively.
The support package was informed the Packaging Innovation Show, which is
by the food and drink sector, which was held only once a year, to be able to see
The Yorkshire and Humber food and
asked how it would like to see business inspiring new packaging possibilities,”
drink manufacturing sector is one of the
support provided. Farmery says: says Gail Wyman, commercial director for
largest in the country, worth £2.7 billion to
“Businesses told us we had schemes Design Futures – one of the Appetizing
the regional economy. Yorkshire Forward’s
and projects that were very relevant to Innovation partners.
£9.4 million package is giving producers
them and offered a lot of value but they “We have started organising this
a much clearer and more effective route
wanted a simplified way of finding out resource to help fill that gap and make it
to support which covers a range of areas
about them.” easier for clients to create and consider
including supply chains, export, skills and
new ideas.”
packaging development. Companies can access support
Many food and drink companies
and solutions on:
Four key initiatives are working
are already tapping into the resource,
collaboratively to deliver the l

pr

ovenance, supply chains
including Premier Foods. Peter Dee,
support package: and exports
bakery general manager, comments:
“As a significant employer we are keen
l

the

regional food Group for Yorkshire
l

process innovation
to continue the long tradition of food
and Humber (rfGYH)
l

product and packaging innovation manufacture excellence in the region.
l

farexchange
l

people and skills.
“The package of support offered by
Yorkshire Forward has been instrumental
l

the Centr

e for food robotics and The new approach should also
in supporting our development and
automation (Cenfra) strengthen links between companies
innovation in packaging, access to
l

a

ppetizing innovation (bringing
and the region’s universities. “We have
suppliers of automation and robotics and
together the food Processing
got a fantastic food and drink industry
helping us to develop partnerships with
faraday Partnership, design futures,
and we want to help businesses establish
education and like minded companies
Leeds metropolitan University,
closer ties with universities, which can
through CenFRA.”
rfGYH and Sheffield Hallam’s food
be a real resource and asset to them,”
Helen Sisson, technical director
innovation Project).
adds Farmery.
at Greencore Group, adds: “This is
One example of the support package
an excellent platform, for both large
Jim Farmery, assistant director – already having an impact is through the
and small companies, to drive a true
business at Yorkshire Forward, says: Appetizing Innovation consortium
innovation agenda for delivery of future
“This new approach gives businesses which is offering special ‘surgeries’
growth and profitability.”
clear points of entry to support where they on packaging innovation. A Packaging
www.yorkshire-forward.com/food
inform JANUARY 2009 pAge 14
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