How can you streamline your NPD process?
Swiss-headquartered SpecPage’s previous customers include Kellogg’s, Dr Oetker, Mondelēz, Nestlé Wagner, Campbell Soup, and Glanbia. But the new service is specifically aimed at food and drink firms that do not have sufficient resources to gather data and then adapt them to changing regulations or the needs of their trade partners.
SpecPage CEO Severin Weiss told FoodNavigator the service can help companies overcome some of the complex aspects of product development from retail consolidation to complex supply chains. SpecPage collects and manages data on products, such as recipe formulations, nutritional values and allergen information and ensures the products are compliant with relevant food regulation, as well as providing training on relevant food laws. The data is published through the standardised Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN).
“[Our] products and services help businesses to streamline and improve company-wide processes that are connected with the development, production and launch of products. Product data and processes are integrated into a single solution, ensuring information is comprehensive and accurate at all times, and in compliance with regulations,” he said, adding that the ultimate aim was to increase profitability. By handing over laborious data capturing and maintenance tasks to SpecPage's software and online catalogues, costs are minimised.
The benefits are clear, said Weiss. “Manual entry and modification of data cause high costs and inaccuracies.”
“Many companies with large R&D centres manage information and product data isolated in different departments and do not create company-wide visibility. They are not able to control the entire product development process in an automated system. This leads to slowdown of projects and product launches, increasing product costs and risks and reducing the investment return. Our clients including Kellogg’s and Nestlé benefit from our integrated solutions that simplify complex production processes and ensure existing resources and expertise are used efficiently.”
The services are also tailored to every step of the manufacturing supply chain, including product lifecycle and data management; laboratory information; and environmental health and safety administration.
Weiss said many companies still rely on capturing raw data and specifications individually instead of reusing and adapting existing information to develop new products quicker and more efficiently.
