Multivac UK will open its Northern Customer Experience and Innovation Centre in October next year, extending its support for manufacturers across the north of England and Scotland.
The new site in Manchester’s Trafford Park will give food producers access to the company’s latest food processing technology and packaging systems. Visitors will be able to work with Multivac specialists, assess complete line solutions and conduct practical trials in a dedicated working environment.
According to the company, the centre represents a “significant investment” in the future of the UK food manufacturing sector. It will operate as a collaborative hub where existing and prospective customers can test new concepts, refine food and drink packaging formats and investigate opportunities for operational and commercial growth.
The Manchester facility will complement Multivac UK’s established Innovation Centre in Swindon. It will also support businesses as they respond to evolving food and drink regulations, including the requirements associated with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
As food and beverage industry trends continue to develop, manufacturers face growing pressure to improve efficiency, strengthen sustainability and respond quickly to food and drink consumer trends. The new centre is intended to help businesses evaluate solutions linked to food manufacturing trends, food and drink sustainability and wider food and drink industry innovation.
Robert Kiely, managing director of Multivac UK, said: “The Northern Customer Experience and Innovation Centre represents an important investment in our commitment to supporting the food manufacturing industry across the UK.
“The food manufacturing sector in Northern England and Scotland is a vital part of our industry, and we want to ensure businesses have convenient access to the expertise, technology and support they need to succeed.”
He continued: “This is far more than a demonstration facility. It is a collaborative environment where customers and prospective customers can explore new ideas, trial innovative solutions and work alongside our specialists to address operational challenges and identify opportunities for growth.
“Together with our Innovation Centre in Swindon, the new Manchester facility will help bring innovation, expertise and support closer to customers, creating new opportunities for collaboration, learning and growth.”
In addition to product and process trials, the centre will provide specialist training for equipment operators, engineers and service teams. These programmes will help customers improve machine performance, expand technical skills and build stronger internal capabilities.
The site will also enable manufacturers to examine solutions that support changing food distribution trends, evolving food and drink marketing requirements and the development of more efficient production systems. As customer needs become more diverse, the facility is expected to provide a practical setting for testing equipment, packaging concepts and process improvements before wider implementation.
Multivac UK added that it plans to expand the centre’s value-added services and technical support capabilities as development continues.
