Innovation in Food networking event in Cork

The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Network, in conjunction with the Food Division, hosted a Food Industry Networking Morning in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork on the 15th November 2018. The theme of the event was Innovation in the Food Sector and it was attended by over 100 people from the Food and Beverage industry throughout Ireland.

The event was formally opened by Orla Battersby, Manager of the Food Division in Enterprise Ireland. Attendees then had the opportunity to listen to relevant food industry presentations and case studies from Irish Company representatives such as Fiona Madigan, Director of Garrett’s Butchers, Noel Reilly, QA Manager at Lakeland Dairies Co-Op, and Henry Lyons, Scientific Director of Nutramara. As well as an informative update from the Enterprise Ireland Brexit team on the challenges, impacts and assistance available for companies within the sector.

The keynote address was given by Owen Brennan, CEO of Devenish Nutrition. Owen is Executive Chairman of Devenish Group and has served as President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association. He was also previously Chairman of the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) and served on the Agri-Food Strategy Board in Northern Ireland. Owen graduated from UCD in 1982 with a degree in Agriculture, and in 1992 with an MBA from the Smurfit Business School. In 1997, he led the team which acquired Devenish Feeds, now Devenish Nutrition. He gave a relevant and interesting keynote speech on the current challenges within the sector and how Devenish Nutrition meets those challenges through the continued use of innovative solutions.

The event closed with a special Technology Gateway expo featuring Gateways involved in the newest Technology Gateway Cluster, Irish Food Tech. This consortium of seven Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways operates within the food and beverage technology sector. Providing a range of expertise for companies looking to access research and development within these areas and connecting industry with researchers in areas that include bioprocessing, food for health, and process control and packaging, to name a few.

The expo provided the attendees with the opportunity to discuss outsourcing their R&D projects with the Gateway Managers and their research teams, as well as learning about the various funding mechanisms available from Enterprise Ireland.