ENGLISH GLOBAL toggle menu SHAPING A TASTY FUTURE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT VANDEMOORTELE INTRODUCED THE DONUT TO EUROPE AT THE END OF THE 90S, AND NOW WE ARE THE MARKET LEADER. CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING There are 70 people working in our R&D teams across Europe. We have about 1000 ongoing projects in development at any one time and we launch on average one new product per day. We don't ever stand still. We are always questioning where we can improve and innovate. SHAPING A TASTY FUTURE RESPONSIBLY Sustainable development A LOVE AFFAIR WITH FOOD, 117 YEARS IN THE MAKING Our Vision INNOVATING WITH OUR CUSTOMER We are a B2B2C company. We watch and analyse consumer behaviour and trends, and we listen to our customers’ needs. Customer relations are our first priority, and we work as closely as possible with them to create new products or look for ways to improve production of existing ones. The R&D team works closely with the sales team as the direct link to the customer. Every customer has different needs, so internal communication across the company is of crucial importance. LONGER TERM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The R&D department also focuses on midterm proactive development and long term research, which includes quality improvement, operational efficiency, analysis of every stage of production and new and existing technologies. This might take us off in surprising directions, such as working with universities, or investigating techniques in other industries. THAT LIGHTBULB MOMENT A good idea can come from anyone in the company – origination doesn’t only come from the R&D department. We have regular brainstorms and innovation days across the company so that any of our specialists can have a voice. "It's such a thrill to have an idea, and then see it come to fruition six months later, with 60,000 pieces an hour running off the production line." – Eva, process engineer WORKING IN R&D Food is about pleasure, warmth and sharing. Our team is not stuck in a lab playing with test tubes in solitude. You’ll find them with an ear to the ground, concentrating on the rituals of food, watching how we eat and share. They will be in the factory, at customer visits, supporting the sales team, collaborating with the category management team, meeting with marketing or on a ‘food safari’ in a foreign city taking in the tastes and styles. Our team is what the French call ‘chaud’ – they are easy to talk with, integrate well, ask the right questions and are curious about customers. They influence decisions and are always looking to make a change. THE TEAM NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE IN THE MARKET PLACE ALL THE TIME IN ORDER TO ‘SMELL’ THE TRENDS, TO CONSTANTLY ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, AND WORK WITH THE CUSTOMER TO UNEARTH THEIR VISION. THIS IS HOW GOOD INNOVATION HAPPENS. ROEL, R&D MANAGER - BAKERY PRODUCTS RECENT ARTICLES See our news articles Market adaptive Footer Sitemap Menu OUR PRODUCTS INSPIRATION OUR COMPANY NEWS & MEDIA INVESTORS CAREERS CONTACT US Home footer Home Footer menu Cookie statement Information for suppliers Legal Information We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. OK More Info