Cross-sectoral themes emerge during the new Interaction between Sectors session

The second interaction session between sectors, 'Eat or be eaten within the Food sector', not only provided an insight into trends within the food industry, but also into the transition from a 'traditional' laboratory company to a company that relies on big data. In addition, a lively discussion arose among the visitors on topics such as 'who owns data' and issues surrounding liability.

By: Dimitri Reijerman

After a series of short introductions by the visitors to this network meeting, Sebastiaan Schreijen, senior consumer food analyst at Rabobank, was given the floor. Schreijen provided an extensive analysis of changing consumer behavior towards food products. He indicated that consumers are taking less and less time to prepare food, paving the way for the arrival of meal boxes and 'convenience dining experiences'.

These developments give food producers new opportunities, but at the same time they are forced by the market to work more flexibly and cheaper, while quality must also increase. Schreijen outlined the tension that arises in this way, something that several FHI members from other sectors could confirm.

Transition of a company

The baton was taken over by Erik Bos, ICT manager at Qlip. Qlip tests milk samples within the dairy industry. Bos discussed Qlip's current working method, which applies proven technology such as GPS and RFID - and thus the link between the laboratory technology and industrial automation sectors - but he also described that his company is working hard to test emerging high-tech. and implement.

For example, Qlip is investigating whether lab on a chip technology is applicable, while the company is also working to make better use of all the collected data. Bos indicated that Qlip had the mining in big data is increasingly on its way to becoming an IT company.

Based on the two presentations, interesting discussions arose among the participants of this session. For example, in response to the recurring theme of 'big data', the question arose as to who exactly owns a certain collection of (measurement) data.

Also liability appears to be a hot topic in the food industry, while it was also suggested that the laboratory world is less conservative and therefore innovates faster than companies that operate in the more cautious food industry. Finally, the Interaction between the Sectors session ended with a drink, during which the interaction was of course continued.

A number of new sessions around the Interaction between Sectors program are now planned for the coming months. On December 19, members from various industries will participate topic Energy transition to explore further. And next year, January 14 to be precise, FHI is organizing a meeting that's all about it theme Data Science.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please contact Leonie van der Smeede, leonie@fhi.nl