RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT OCTOBER 2019
The power of collaboration in
research & development
GROUP THINKING
CBY ADRIAN SWINBURNE, HEAD OF CONSUMER, 42 TECHNOLOGY ollaborative R&D is often perceived
as an overly complex and highrisk
method of achieving process
innovation, with brand owners typically
relying on their process equipment
vendors to deliver the improvements
they need. Whilst these concerns can be valid in
some circumstances, our experience working with
global brands such as Kimberly-Clark, PepsiCo
and Jacobs Douwe Egberts has reinforced our
belief in the power of collaborative R&D. By
selecting the right R&D partners, and then
properly managing the process, it really can be a
case of two plus two equalling fi ve.
Should process improvement and new
process innovation be viewed di erently?
FMCG brand owners and manufacturers are often
seeking to achieve a breakthrough or step change
in their manufacturing capabilities to deliver new
products or improve production effi ciencies. And
although process improvement projects might
appear to be quite diff erent from establishing
genuine new capability, the
fundamental principles are
largely the same and involve
the need to:
Defi ne a clear vision of what
the ideal outcome could/should
look like;
Establish a thorough
understanding of the
functionality, capabilities
and fl exibility of existing
manufacturing assets;
Challenge the perceived
views on what can and cannot
be changed in existing assets,
and what alternative processes
might deliver equivalent or
new functionality;
Rigorously assess any new
or modifi ed process concepts
to ensure selected approaches
properly deliver against
aspirations whilst achieving
maximum compatibility with
existing assets;
Execute a well-managed
implementation project at all
stages of development and
delivery.
Can a single partner truly
deliver what is needed?
Brand owners have a natural
desire to rely on their primary
equipment vendors to provide
them with new or signifi cantly
improved process capabilities.
Often, this approach can make
perfect sense and in many
circumstances delivers exactly
what is needed. However, on
closer examination even the
seemingly most successful
developments may only achieve
incremental improvements in
one or two areas.
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