The Agrifood Centre offers Consultancy and Research facilities to solve your problems either through short term, focussed Consultancy or longer term Research activity. We positively encourage organisations to talk to us, whether public or private sector, it is free of charge. You can be rest assured that the issues will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Consultancy
Whether your organisation is a large multinational or a small business, we can bring together the appropriate skills, experience and contacts to complete your project requirements.

Typical contract activity includes:
	•	Feasibility and Strategic studies
	•	Market Surveys and Reviews
	•	New product and Process development
	•	Design and Implementation of Quality Systems
	•	Plant layouts

How can we help?
Before giving advice, we like to listen carefully to what our customers require and from that we work hard to provide the level of assistance that we would wish to receive in the same situation.

The key stages are:
	•	Discussion of the scope of the project identifying focus and constraints e.g. time, cost or personnel
	•	Project will be priced to the brief and confirmed by you before project commences
	•	Project is completed to brief and report given as required

The system is flexible and regular reviews are held throughout the project life. If need be the most appropriate private solution could involve a period of in-depth, applied research as follows.

Applied Research

The University of Plymouth

The University has expertise in accessing national and European funding for teams to enable applied research in the agri-food sector. This may involve non-competitive partnerships with other research and commercial organisations to maximise the quality and scope of the research programme. The University will facilitate the bidding process at all stages so as to minimise the administration needed by the partners.

The Food Processing Faraday
The Food Processing Faraday (FPF) has been established to assist in developing and strengthening links between science and industry in the UK through the involvement of intermediate organisations, including the Agrifood Centre.

Support Available
Through the FPF, members from the food and allied industries will be able to access a range of support mechanisms, including:

	•	Process Audits – will identify how the FPF can access improvements for manufacturers and define industry wide problems that are not currently being addressed for further research.
	•	Workshops – will provide a solution to short-term problems by facilitating access to technical experts from the Partnerships in a concentrated exercise lasting one day. The company involved will be asked to pay relative to the perceived value gained, and no up-front charge will be made for the workshop.
	•	The FPF will provide the support needed to quickly solve technical and production problems through process improvement exercises. Support can be provided on a risk-shared partnership, with the processor paying the FPF on the basis of benefit received.
	•	Pilot Plant Facilities – a detailed register of facilities will be developed so that companies can source the best available plant and expertise around the country to trial new ideas before committing to capital spend.

The FPF will also develop innovative products and process technologies through applied and basic research programmes funded with support from Government agencies.

For further information, please log on to the FPF website: www.fpfaraday.com or telephone 01664 501501.