Challenges to make better use of R&D
Contributed by Anonymous on Friday, January 01 @ 11:32:47 CET
Topic: Food Automation
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What are the challenges to making better use of R&D in the food system?
(DEFRA On line discussion document; Improving the food system through research and innovation)
Chair John Reed, Silsoe Technology
The culture of the UK food industry is craft-based and is not geared to academic research. The industry is customer led. This in turn, leads to the equipment requirements. Thought needs to be given to appropriate R&D for food manufacturers, who have to identify engineering researchers, who are not just able, but willing to work with the industry. The other issue is that the number of engineers in the industry is low, the technical in house engineering liaison is lacking. In addition, the research base in the UK is reducing. BBSRC closed Silsoe, Bristol University has closed FRPERC, and IFR Norwich has just declared redundancies. The Food LINK grant scheme has closed
Initiatives such as CenFRA in Yorkshire have helped by providing technology audits. However, there was a need for more regional centres and a national co-ordination of these centres.
Investment carries risk as food is a quickly changing market. For example, in the recession, demand for high value foods has dropped. Thus equipment must be flexible to meet the changing market. Packaging changes a lot and so much thought should be given to a modular approach. Space in factories is an issue, as new equipment must have sufficient space. However, there are radical suggestions such as the Factory in a pipeline that could reduce space requirements. The industry is competitive and concerned about confidentiality. It is easier to go out of industry to seek advice, this advice must include architects and consultants other than engineers. The suppliers have to accommodate the customer's requirements. Very short contracts, like 24 hours, only do not encourage investment and innovation.
There was a need to educate food manufacturers and to create a virtuous triangle of retailer, manufacturer and equipment supplier. Marks and Spencer had a vision for 2020. Companies could install tried and tested automation such as dispatch automation. Proven technology can be deployed but this is not happening. Companies can claim research tax credits and smaller companies can come together in co-operatives.
University research was blue sky and driven by the Research Assessment Exercise criteria. There was a culture gap between universities and manufacturers and communication needed improvement. There was useful knowledge on imaging and sensors in universities but there was a development gap. Reviews of technology areas would be more helpful to industry than one off research papers. A 'who does what where and why guide' may be helpful. Regional guides to help on grants, waste, tax and the local food cluster champion would be helpful. Clearer routes to help are needed. Note FMEG member has supplied the following websites
‘Grants’ column at http://www.nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk/.
The established EEN (Enterprise Europe Network) http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
The brand new "IP NET" (www.theintellectualproperty.net ). It was described to me as:
- "A completely new & FREE technology exchange
- Gives us an "Ebay for innovation" - "Free web tools to support innovation",
- Innovation Park Search
- www.innovationparksearch.info
- Searches the web sites of the tenant companies on UKSPA Science Parks and incubators
- 1000+ technology companies
- Academia Search
- www.academiasearch.info
- Searches the contents of the research web pages of all 120 UK University web sites
- Ideal for finding research partners, expertise, or knowledge
- Investor Search
- www.investorsearch.info
- Searches the contents of 2000 VC and Private Equity firms
- 300 UK
- 350 USA
- 1400 others internationally
- Ideal for searching investor Portfolios
- The Knowledge Vine
- www.theknowledgevine.net
- A new type of knowledge network
- A simple email system for asking questions of a large range of experts and getting answers back efficiently.
BUT there is a need to identify food industry friendly academics.
Research led to proof of concept: development grants were needed. Best practice needed to be defined and next best practice to set benchmarks. The food equipment industry introduces technology to food manufacturers and is more familiar with the industry than the academics.
The need for UK to maximise national food production was highlighted. This would need research and innovation.
The answers to the three questions are
- Lots
- No
- Yes
Reports on the other discussions will follow later.
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