Engineering is a major driver of innovation
Processors are losing out by discounting their engineering departments as major drivers of innovation, according to one industry expert.
David Hopper, technical director at RTS Flexible Systems, supplier of automated handling systems for the food industry, said: "I sense some manufacturers see the engineering department as a necessary cost overhead rather than as a precious and strategic in-house resource that could be a great agent for change."
However, he acknowledged that lack of engineers, rather than attitude, was restraining innovation in some cases. "Assuming the engineering quality is there in the first place, the difference is simply one of attitude and motivation: how you use them, train them and give them responsibility."
Technical innovation was likely to come from processors of strong brands, rather than low margin, own-label businesses, said Hopper.
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