A new integrated, state-of-the-art consumer research and market insight centre was opened by Bord Bia in Dublin today. The centre, called the 'Thinking House', will help Irish exports compete in the highly competitive, global marketplace. It will offer the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry unrestricted access to the latest global trends, research, consumer insights and industry innovations.
Inside the centre, the 'Trends Zone' will showcase the latest food and drink innovations from around the world, whilst the Packaging and Branding gallery highlights best in class design. Additionally, the Library provides access to a wide range of databases and reports. Finally, an innovative working space will be available for workshops, meetings and presentations.
Speaking at the launch, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia commented: "The recent performance of our food and drink exports, growing by more than 50% over the past six years, and now at just short of €11 billion, has been exceptional in the context of its time, positioning the industry at the heart of our economic recovery. I believe the establishment of The Thinking House sends a signal of how our industry will seek to compete and will, over time, prove transformational."
The industry prepares to virtually double its exports, to reach the target of €19 billion set by FoodWise2025. In addition to meeting the challenge presented by Brexit, achievement of the industry’s ten year target is expected to require a step change in export growth to Europe and a trebling in its exports to international markets, including a quadrupling of its presence in Asia’s growth markets, according to Bord Bia.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Miyuki Nakano
