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Read MoreRED Fund Programme – National Centre for Food Manufacturing
RED Fund Programme – National Centre for Food Manufacturing
Supporting growth for food and drink sector businesses
Delivered by the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) in Holbeach, a major research centre for food manufacturing robotics, automation and associated sciences plus a key apprenticeship development hub for the food and drink manufacturing sector.
Technical and Scientific Support for Innovation
Access to 3-5 days of technical services and consultancy support provided by NCFM’s team of experts including researching and trialling of new and improved products, new technologies, manufacturing processes, packaging, consumer insights, sustainability and related consultancy.
Use of NCFM Specialist Facilities and Equipment
Opportunities for businesses to enhance productivity, products and services through the utilisation of technical equipment at NCFM including a test kitchen, sensory suite, food laboratories, a specialist food factory and a wide range of equipment for trials. Facilities for equipment demonstration along with access to demonstration events showcasing the latest technologies.
Training
Development of skills and knowledge including sector relevant sessions such as food safety, HACCP, Health & Safety and much more, plus, a range of collaborative business focussed topics to meet specific needs such as financial management, business continuity and cyber security. Masterclasses to build knowledge of new technologies, innovation, collaboration and peer learning.
Business Support
Business review to establish needs and deliver a wide range of growth solutions including mentoring, training, product and process development; plus advice and information on generic business issues including financial management, marketing, access to funding and staff development.
Capital Grants
Potential for up to £20,000 capital grant funding contribution towards the purchase of assets identified as required to meet project needs established during NCFM engagement.
NCFM
This RED Fund Programme is being delivered by NCFM based at Holbeach in the heart of South Lincolnshire. NCFM is a specialist facility providing training, research and project consultancy for the food and drink industry.
NCFM has sector specialists and equipment to help businesses with innovative growth and transformation projects including; Process and Manufacturing Trials, Research and Innovation, Analysis and Testing, Product Development, Food Safety and Quality Support; plus a wide range of training provision and generic business support.
Research England
RED Fund programme is partly funded by Research England which is part of UK Research and Innovation.
The programme aims to support the incubation and growth of sector SME businesses providing scientific and technical support from the University of Lincoln and partners.
This includes knowledge sharing, capital grants and peer support from flagship food manufacturing businesses to aid success and potential for transition to the Peppermint Park Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ).
South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone – Peppermint Park
The FEZ will provide business space and create job opportunities for existing and start-up small and medium sized businesses in the agri-food sector with a focus on food and drink manufacturing.
The first stage of the development will be the University of Lincoln’s Centre of Excellence in Agri-Food Technology which will provide innovative support services, research, skills and knowledge transfer for agri-food sector businesses.
The FEZ is a partnership project by Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council, Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Lincoln.
RED Fund Programme Contacts
National Centre for Food Manufacturing: ncfm@lincoln.ac.uk 01406 493000
RED Fund Programme Manager – David Thorpe: dthorpe@lincoln.ac.uk 07866 137947
National Centre for Food Manufacturing
University of Lincoln
Park Road
Holbeach
PE12 7PT
Twitter: @UoLNCFM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uolncfm/
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