Innovative companies located in the Nord-Pas de Calais region
FIn view of rapidly changing market developments and ever more demanding quality and food safety requirements, food industry companies must continually strive to improve their manufacturing processes while offering their customers increasingly sophisticated products.
In cooperation with the Regional Programme in support of Innovation, the Promotion Committee, Certia Interface and their partners wished to promote innovative regional companies and focus attention on successful partnerships between companies and competency centres.
With that goal in mind, they launched the first food industry innovation competition in Nord-Pas de Calais. This is also the first time that a comparison has been attempted amongst different product categories (fresh, frozen, beverages, deli products, etc.) produced by different types of companies (farmers, cooperatives, cottage industry, SMEs, large corporations, etc.).
This comparison of products that, in principle, are not comparable was facilitated by a procedure set up by Lille's two engineering schools with agribusiness programmes (the food industry department of the Lille Polytechnic Institute and the Institute of Agriculture).
Forty companies participated in this inaugural competition by submitting over 70 products.
They were supported in their projects by the regional network of scientific and technical competency centres, and did not fail to surprise, intrigue, delight and astound.
The rewards conferred on the finalists are not limited to special designations, medals or other honours, but also include numerous support mechanisms that focus attention on these companies' efforts to innovate: product presentations on partners' websites, promotional brochures, website promotion services, marketing, technical and analytical services, and much more.
This competition constitutes a unique showcase for dynamic regional efforts in favour of innovation; it will be repeated every two years prior to the SIAL International Food Exhibition in Paris-Villepinte. Beginning this year, these innovations will be presented at the regional stand from 17-21 October 2004: Hall 5A, Aisle H, Stand 079.
II would like to receive the Innovation Packet including a presentation of the finalists and prizewinners and information on the network of competency centres.
