With over 25 years of experience in the food and food ingredient industries, our partners have developed broad expertise across most segments and functions with a particular focus on the interfaces between technology, investment, business strategy and market opportunities.
Our recent case work is representative of the following areas:
Industry Characterization
Global Food Ingredient Overview
For a leading European chemical company with varied food ingredient holdings, we characterized all major segments of the global food ingredient industry to determine attractiveness and fit with the client. Based on this analysis, a new strategy was developed to focus on key ingredient niches that built on its existing business, including healthy oils and fiber.
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Market Assessment
We have completed numerous market assessments spanning most segments of the North American and European food and beverage industries and food ingredients industries, with special expertise developed in flavors, high-intensity sweeteners, hydrocolloids, bulking agents, fat replacers, polyunsaturated fatty acids and other nutraceutical ingredients.
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Opportunity Identification
Market Potential for a Novel Bulking Agent
For a biotechnology company with a novel bulking agent technology, we conducted a complete analysis of the ingredient's market potential, including an evaluation of the current and future markets for bulking agents, an evaluation of the complex regulatory issues and a competitive technology review. The company is now in the process of evaluating potential partners to assist in commercializing the technology.
Growth Opportunities in Food Ingredients
For a European chemical company interested in opportunities related to biotechnology, we evaluated several food ingredient areas. Based on our study, which analyzed market size, current competitive environment and fit with current capabilities and strategies, it was determined that the areas for growth were in the areas of high-intensity sweeteners, flavors, gums, enzymes, and colors. The results of this work were used as an input for a follow-on acquisition identification study.
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Scenario Planning
Facilitation of Scenario Planning Process
For a European chemical company interested in establishing and maintaining a presence in the flavor and food ingredients industry, we assembled a roundtable of industry experts and facilitated the client and experts through a scenario planning process, which resulted in a framework that was used as an input into their on going strategy development. This client is currently a major world-wide supplier of vanillin.
Spectrum of Future Scenarios
For a US food ingredient company, we created a spectrum of food industry and food ingredient scenarios (10 years out) to be used as a guideline for the creation of a new strategy and the identification of potential acquisitions. The client subsequently embarked on customer focus strategy that resulted in high margins and several acquisitions.
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Strategy Support
Information Strategy
For a leading global food company's New Ventures Group, we completed an information strategy to guide their acquisition and sharing of information in order to proactively identify and create innovative new food products based on current nutrition trends.
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Due Diligence/Acquisition Support
Acquisition Support - Flavors
For a private-equity firm, we conducted a review of the worldwide flavor and fragrance industry including an analysis of the top flavor companies and a focus on their acquisition target to support their bid to purchase a top-10 flavor house.
Acquisition Support - Nutraceuticals
For a leading US health and consumer products company interested in building a position in nutraceuticals, we completed a review of their business strategy and new product planning development program to recommend areas of focus.
Acquisition Support - Nutrition-Related Products
For a major life sciences company looking to diversify its food ingredients portfolio to include more nutrition-related products, we provided an extensive program of acquisition and technology planning support. This client became one of the leading holders of intellectual property in nutritional ingredients before being sold to a competitor.
Due Diligence - Food Ingredients
For a major chemical company interested in acquiring a top food ingredient company, we analyzed the technology portfolio and market position of the target company. We determined it to be strong and well positioned with that of the buyer; our client then posted the winning bid, and today is one of the largest 5 food ingredient companies in the world.
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Acquisition Identification
Savory Flavor Acquisition
For a major flavor company trying to grow its business in savory flavors, we completed a program of strategic option development and acquisition identification and prioritization. The company later purchased several companies with strong savory businesses, and is the current world leader in this area.
Nutrition-Related Products Acquisition
For a consumer products company considering diversifying into nutrition-related businesses, we developed and evaluated several preliminary acquisition strategies, using criteria related to the attractiveness of the business, fit with the client's existing businesses, and the soundness of the technology strategy. We then carried out an international search and screening of acquisition candidates in food, food ingredients and other nutrition-related businesses.
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Technology Management
R&D Portfolio Assessment
For a major food and ingredient supplier, we conducted an in-depth R&D portfolio assessment and found that the company was too heavily invested in line extensions, cost reduction, and other low-risk technology. Based on our assessment and recommendations, the company revised its portfolio to balance the risk profile. They appropriated research funds for evaluating and developing new technologies to enhance their potential for launching new products while at the same time maintaining their current product lines.
Optimize Technology Organization
For a major international food processor, we were asked to assess the strategic role of the worldwide technology organization within the corporation. We worked with R&D, operations, and marketing to understand how the current technology groups were supporting the corporate strategy and assessed what needed to be changed to ensure that R& D was positioned to support the long term corporate growth plans. We developed recommendations for changes in technology investments, organizational roles and responsibilities, and developed with them a process for technology management.
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Technology Assessment
We have completed numerous technology assessments in food and food ingredient technologies, food supplements and nutraceuticals, and other nutrition-related technologies under development or commercialization in North America, Europe and Japan. These assessments typically include analyses for what the likely market potential might be for a specific technology, what regulatory and technology issues may affect approval and market acceptance, and what the identity of the competitive landscape may be.
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Capability Assessment
Assessment of Capability Needs
For a multinational agribusiness company, we completed a large-scale capability assessment to assess needed skills and personnel for entry into higher value added product segments. We assisted with an assessment of their strategy for moving forward by evaluating their business model, product range, customer and target markets, and implementation plan. Included was a detailed review of the number and types of both physical and human assets that would be required for such an implementation. This client is currently in the process as reinventing itself from a major agricultural commodity provider to a leading value-added food ingredient supplier.
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