Innovation in the major global food and drink businesses has recently undergone a marked change. Under immense retailer pressure, the industry has been effective in short-cycle product refreshes for some years – rapidly screening new flavours and shapes with focus groups to define the ‘hot’ new products, but rarely addressing fundamental questions, such as ‘how does food fit into consumers' lives?’. The clear new trend is a CEO-level focus on real innovation, particularly in the health and wellness space. Although the quality and state of development of this work varies greatly, all the big brands are working to remove unhealthy ingredients and add nutritional benefits.

As part of this recent shift, we have helped major multinationals to focus their IP strategy and improve their innovation organisation and practices. Most recently, we assisted a large food producer to refocus its R&D away from incremental innovation towards a few key technology platforms which offer much stronger consumer benefits.

In a more hands on capacity, we also invent and develop advanced packaging and dispensing systems, and troubleshoot quality and reliability problems. We also combine core food processing and packaging experience with complementary areas such as rapid assay systems, nutrition, chemistry, equipment development, lifestyle issues and advanced consumer research.