Group thinking – the power of collaboration in process R&D

October 2019

By Adrian Swinburne, Head of Consumer at 42T

“Collaborations can be destined to fail if steps are not taken to ensure alignment between consultancy and vendor.”

42T’s Adrian Swinburne wrote an insightful article for Manufacturing Management on how to achieve success in R&D projects. He gives his recommendations on getting the best from working R&D partners.

Collaborative R&D is often perceived as an overly complex and high-risk method of achieving process innovation with brand owners typically relying on their process equipment vendors to deliver the improvements they need.

Working with internationally experienced consultants

Whilst these concerns can be valid in some circumstances, our experience of working with global brands such as Kimberly-Clark, PepsiCo and Jacobs Douwe Egberts has reinforced our belief in the power of collaborative R&D.

By selecting the right R&D partners, and then properly managing the process, it really can be a case of two plus two equalling five. Adrian discusses a range of points:

• Should process improvement and new process innovation be viewed differently?
• Five fundamental principles
• Can a single partner truly deliver what is needed?
• Choose your partners wisely
• Don’t assume alignment on day one
• When roles and responsibilities need to transition
• Don’t forget about IP
• Five recommendations for successful collaborations

Find out how collaborative R&D projects can deliver significant results with everyone working towards a common goal.

You can read the article here: Group Thinking.

Published in the 19 October 2019 issue of Manufacturing Management.

More about 42T’s projects and the range of our team’s expertise.

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