French vegetable products group Bonduelle has opened a second innovation centre. The Maison de l'Innovation at Villeneuve d'Ascq - near Lille - is dedicated to innovation, development and research for Bonduelle's Europe Long Life arm. The company already has an innovation centre in Lyon for its fresh produce.
At its new centre, R&D teams from different parts of the group - some 40 employees in total - will be gathered in the same place for the first time, thus becoming more efficient in putting innovation in-line with consumer trends.
"The Maison de l'Innovation is designed to experiment with new ways of working collaboratively in France and other European countries, putting at the heart of its operation agility and co-construction", Bonduelle states. Consumers will be invited in for workshops, tastings and meetings. The company described this as providing "precious insights and ideas that are then translated to bring out the innovations of tomorrow".