Reference no: EM132164073
Customer Focus and Employee Empowerment at Maple Leaf Foods Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) Inc. is a leading international food processing company.
Headquartered in Toronto, the com- pany employs approximately 24,000 people in its opera- tions across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia.
MLF recently unveiled its "ThinkFOOD Centre" a 2300-square-metre (25,000-square-foot) facil- ity that is focused on innovation and growth in the bak- ery product and protein food production industry.
The ThinkFOOD centre is located in Mississauga, Ont. and was constructed at a cost of approximately $12 million.
It houses nearly 60 employees, including executive chefs, culinary food scientists, microbiologists, home economists, environmental technologists, and biologists, all with inter- national training.
MLF claims that the ThinkFOOD centre is the first facility of its kind in Canada offering a unique and holis- tic approach to product development, brand innovation, food education, customer relationship development, con- sumer research, and monitoring of global trends. Some of the features in the ThinkFOOD centre that inspire MLF employees to express and derive innovative ideas are:
• Open Kitchen, an area where specialists can develop and test new technologies, processes, and products.
• Back of House Kitchen, a demonstration kitchen that allows MLF to collaborate with customers on product development in a kitchen similar to what customers would experience in their own homes.
• Kitchen Stage, a demonstration kitchen that allows customers to be involved in the product development process.
• Marketplace, a simulated retail space with refrigerated units, bakery racks, and a deli counter where MLF can work with retailers on merchandising and shelf planning.
• Innovation and development labs, where innovators can develop products in a safe environment.
Additionally, the centre was built with an environmentally- conscious approach. MLF claims the building contains sus- tainable features in all five of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
What do you think sets MLF and their products apart from other food processing companies?
How would you incorporate these ideas in other types of companies? Research the process of innovation and new product development.
Discuss features that might inspire employ- ees to express and derive innovative ideas.
How do you think quality is maintained throughout the process?