KRAFT HEINZ
“ It’ s vital to understand our ecosystem to build relevant and impactful partnerships”
Mirjam Spreeuwenberg R & D Partnership and Technology Lead Kraft Heinz
literally in the supermarket, the consumer’ s needs.” Continuing on the theme of product development, Andrea stresses the potential of AI.“ If a big company fails to leverage AI and other digital tools in the right way then R & D will not be very efficient. The algorithms we use are so complex that the work they do would take humans years to accomplish.
“ For example, to design a product today you need to look at sustainability, nutrition, consumer, differentiation and evolving regulatory frameworks that tell you what you can and cannot do,” he adds.“ The equation is very complex and AI and machine learning gives us the possibility of managing this equation successfully.”
But just as no company innovates in a vacuum, neither can it meet some of its goals without some measure of industry collaboration. Mischa says that some of the challenges facing the food industry are too big for any company to solve alone:“ When an issue is non-competitive, we work in a consortia, where we can work together with our competitors.”
The challenge of managing pan-industry change This collegiate approach to panindustry challenges is echoed within Kraft Heinz, particularly in the way it drives forward its big change programmes. As the company looks to the future, it envisions a food industry that is more personalised, sustainable and technologically advanced.
It is this future that continues to drive Kraft Heinz’ s never-ending journey of innovation, a programme that is designed to excite, says Mischa:“ This is the key point with innovation. Ultimately, it’ s about exciting consumers. It is our dream to be a leader in elevating and creating food that makes you feel good.”
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