UK- Global food processor and commodity trader ADM has opened a new customer creation and innovation center in Manchester, England, to enhance its capacity to improve culinary experiences.
The 8,611-square-foot facility will serve as a hub in the UK for food innovation and will feature a kitchen, a chef’s presentation theater, and a flavor development lab.
These facilities will allow ADM to provide even more value to its customers in the UK.
“The opening of our new customer creation and innovation center provides a unique synergistic space to further our commitment to push the boundaries of food and beverage formulation while also delivering authentic culinary experiences,” said Chris Poole, managing director of ADM.
According to the company, the center should equip ADM’s team to improve their expertise in protein and plant-based offerings that meet growing wellness and culinary demands.
This center is also a timely and strategic investment for ADM in response to a growing and dynamic market in the European country.
“And with the UK market on track for steady growth in 2023 and beyond, ADM is perfectly positioned to service all our customers’ needs,” Poole added.
According to a release by FoodBev, when asked: “Why Manchester?” Mark Millward, the principal flavor technologist at ADM, mentioned that the company was planning to tap into the growing talent offered by students in the area.
“We chose Manchester partly because the northwest has always been the food technology center of the UK; a lot of the universities have very strong food technology and chemistry courses – the chemistry industry started out in the northwest due to the salt mines in Chesire, which led on to more development in the food processing side of things as a result,” Millward remarked.
Millward also commented that the UK was one of ADM’s strong target markets when it comes to new products, especially plant-based offerings.
“I think that is largely because the UK is a multicultural society. It does not feel as restricted as other countries. The UK market will accept new products and flavors readily,” he added.
In addition to the customer creation and innovation center, ADM opened a probiotic facility in Valencia, Spain, earlier this year and announced a partnership with Marel to build a taste and texture innovation center for the alternative protein sector in The Netherlands.
These investments enhance the connection and integration of ADM’s global capabilities, supporting manufacturers to bring future-forward offerings that meet consumers’ demands of tomorrow and today.
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