Pictured above: Stephen Whyte
An innovative software system which helps food manufacturers
spot the potential risk of allergens in their products is proving a
huge success in the food and drink industry, enabling the company
which invented it to double in size.
Launched last year by Leicestershire-based Qadex, with help from
the Food and Drink iNet, the system already numbers the likes of
Britvic and Whitworths among its users.
The Qadex system uses software to help food manufacturers gather
information about their products and their supply chains, so they
can assess any risk of allergens. Before the software was
developed, manufacturers had to rely on a far longer, manual and
labour-intensive process.
Stephen Whyte, business development director for Qadex, said the
system was proving popular with manufacturers and answered a need
for more accurate information on allergens in food products.
"It is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers to get
really accurate information about any potential allergen risks and
to be able to pass this on to the retailers and so the consumers,"
he said.
To develop the software, Qadex was awarded £10,000 worth
of innovation advice and guidance support from the iNet which it
matched with its own investment. Stephen said the iNet support was
of huge importance.
"Any support which is available is vital," he added.
The success of the software has helped enable the business to
grow significantly. Last year its turnover doubled in size and
similar growth is anticipated this year. The number of employees
has more than doubled to 32 and, as a result, Qadex relocated last
year from central Leicester to Sileby. It also has a base in
Dublin.
Other Qadex clients using the system include First Milk Group,
Rectory Foods and Maximuscle.
Next summer, Qadex plans to launch another new product - a
retail specification system - which will enable manufacturers to
easily and automatically produce information for retailers in the
format they require.
The iNet helps food and drink firms engage expertise from
academia, research institutions and specialist business advice for
innovation projects to develop new ideas, new products, new
processes and to help companies grow. 50% of the equivalent
cash value of the support must be contributed by the company.
Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick said:
"Innovation, advice and guidance support is designed to encourage
innovation in businesses in the East Midlands food and drink sector
and this project fitted the bill perfectly."
Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet
co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and
individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East
Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective
network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge
with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of
innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping
to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to
help research, develop and implement new products, markets,
services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the
Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday,
Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the
University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park,
Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.