Rebuilding the innovation pipeline of a PE-owned food producer

01 · Context

A PE-owned producer of fresh potato-based food needed new sources of profit growth.

Its innovation pipeline was full but concentrated in a few areas, and the owners wanted growth that would hold up over several years, at home and in export markets.

02 · Key conclusion

Scoring every concept on opportunity, perceived value, complexity and competition showed where the pipeline overlapped and where it had gaps. New concepts filled the gaps, and the weakest planned launch was challenged.

03 · Actions

Four phases from trends to tested concepts.

1. Phase 1

   Map the trends through desk research and expert and management interviews.

2. Phase 2

   Develop short-term concepts against the priority trends.

3. Phase 3

   Develop medium-term concepts and score every idea on four criteria.

4. Phase 4

   Validate the leading concepts with consumers through online research.

04 · Transformation

From 43 trends to 10, and 32 concepts to 11.

Forty-three trends were narrowed to ten. Thirty-two short-term concepts were scored, and eleven passed the threshold.

05 · Result

The new products launched and won three innovation awards.

The launches widened the pipeline beyond its original areas and gave the business products recognised by the industry.