Leicester College to launch Food Manufacturing Innovation Suite

A college based facility to aid food manufacturing companies with product development will be officially opened on 3 November 2009.

Comprising of a development kitchen, bakery, butchery, food manufacturing and food production facilities, Leicester College has been funded £500,000 by the East Midlands Development Agency for the Food Manufacturing Innovation Suite which will be available to help businesses to develop their product lines

In March 2007, Improve Ltd, the Sector Skills Council for the food and drink industry stated in the East Midlands summary of the Sector Skills Agreement that there is a demand for development of skills to increase productivity in the sector. 

Companies will be able to use the Food Manufacturing Innovation Suite to try out new products in small quantities, practice production runs and will have access to staff training in a range of disciplines within food manufacturing, production and innovation.  They will have state-of-the-art equipment such as a food packaging flow wrap machine, vacuum packing, deck ovens, high speed mixers and blast chillers along with the expertise of College staff on-hand to support all their training needs.

Curriculum Area Manager for Hospitality and Leisure, Claire Willis said: “The Food Manufacturing Innovation Suite is a fantastic facility providing a range of training and development activities, tailored to suit the needs of employers.  I’m sure it will provide valuable support to the industry, which is vital to the local economy.”