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For anyone who owns a supermarket loyalty card, the concept of being sent special offers and discounts for exactly the kind of food and drink that you already buy, is not new.  This is using customer data at its simplest, but it is a powerful way to keep track of who’s buying what and of keeping customers loyal.

Of course, there are many more applications of data in the food and drink industry, aiming for enhanced food safety and welfare for animals, waste reduction, better energy use, predictive maintenance, increased transparency and optimising staffing.

When I think about data and the food manufacturing industry, I used to think about the information coming into the business from ingredients and packaging, the information required for projects and different departments to work together, and the information going out about the products. These were ingredient specifications, certificate of analysis, packaging specifications, project briefs, project critical paths and final product specification and artwork.

Now, when I think about data and the food & drink industry, I think about the whole supply chain from farms or fishing right through to the processing and the consumer. I think about sensors, imaging and the Internet of Things. About robots, augmented reality and virtual reality, block chain and QR-codes, machine learning and predictive analytics, drones and precision farming.  These are not just for the sci-films anymore, they are reality.

Agritech is underpinning many new developments and farmers of the future will work closely with data scientists.  The type of data captured, and its applications are constantly evolving as a result of developments in sensors, scanners, cameras and storage and processing capabilities.

As part of our role to develop academic to business collaborations, Interface were recently involved in pulling together a partnership between mathematicians from the University of Stirling and the agriculture sector. As a result, the Scottish pig sector and the university have been working to link up sensor data on a pig farm, with the abattoir data for the same farm. The analysis carried out will give the farmers a greater insight into rearing methods and the effect on the end product. The dissemination of this project will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of pig farming across Scotland.

Another area of growing interest to the industry is blockchain technology. What started as the technology that fuelled cryptocurrencies, the blockchain revolution is pervading food and drink production, improving traceability, transparency and food safety across the supply chain. A good example of this is where Walmart conducted an experiment trying to trace the source of sliced mangos. It took seven days for Walmart employees to locate the farm in Mexico that grew the fruit. With the blockchain software, the mangos could be tracked in a matter of seconds, which, in the event of a health and safety problem, will mitigate the impacts and allow targeted products recalls.

Wearable devices also have great potential for the food and drink industry. Smartgloves, smartwatches and other wearable scanners make processes faster and easier for employees with barcodes and QR codes being scanned without interruption during workflow processes. Smartglasses, vests and helmets can eliminate the need for separate computers or manuals saving time and ensuring more accuracy in the work place. Smartglasses also have a communications interface and internet connectivity that could allow employees to discuss issues with an expert, even one who is off-site.

The 4th Industrial Revolution is already encompassing nine distinct areas; autonomous robots, simulation, system integration, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, cloud computing, Additive manufacturing, augmented reality and big data. Data can be simple, it can be complex – there is always a requirement to record, store and process it, and if necessary publish it, but also there is an opportunity to learn from it and make changes which improve products and processes.

Technology has advanced rapidly in the last few years,  so embracing how it can streamline systems, introduce efficiencies, upskill staff from manual, repetitive jobs to new roles ready to make a difference as part of  the Industry 4.0 movement is crucial to how the Scottish  food and drink industry collectively reaches the target of being worth £30bn by 2030.

 “Workforce Innovation” is high on the agenda of those outward looking businesses with a focus on growth and is key to addressing the evolving and ever-changing market environment in which the food and drink sector operates. It’s more than just human resource – it’s about the workplace, its operation and the challenge of inspiring the workforce of the future.

A Scottish museum’s internationally significant collection of photographs has been expanded and preserved for future generations, thanks to Interface’s connections.

Dumfries Museum houses an extensive collection of photographs taken by German photographer Dr Werner Kissling between 1935 and the 1970s. Many show images of crafts people and agricultural workers from New Zealand to the Western Isles of Scotland at work, some practising crafts which have since died out.

Dr Kissling was a German aristocrat who was born into great wealth but ended up living as a tenant of a bedsit in Dumfries. He left the German diplomatic service whilst posted to London in 1931, unwilling to work for a Nazi government. Instead, he pursued academic research in the UK even after anti-Hitler activities cost his family their fortune.

He made the first ever film to use spoken Gaelic and is regarded as one of the great photographers of the Western Isles.

In 2018 a suitcase of Dr Kissling’s personal possessions was donated to the museum. When Mari Findlay from Interface approached the museum to tell them of the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities opportunities, Siobhan Ratchford, the Curator, was able to provide Dr Kissling’s suitcase as a possible project. Mari was then able to source academic expertise to catalogue the contents which included new images, documents and postcards.

PhD student Kirsty Kernohan, who is studying anthropology at University of Aberdeen, created over 500 new catalogue records for the museum’s collection and developed a record identifying Kissling collections in other institutions, available for future research by public and experts. She also compiled three online information pages including around 120 digitised photographs for http://www.futuremuseum.co.uk/ a resource showcasing the collections of museums in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. 

Dr Kissling died in 1988 and Kirsty, who was funded through the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) Doctoral Internship programme, said the most fascinating part of her work at the museum was interviewing people who had known him. 

“My time in Dumfries has been invaluable. This chance to take on a multi-faceted project in a museum context has allowed me to put into practice skills I had gained volunteering in other museums and through my PhD research. My experience on anthropological fieldwork allowed me to conduct ethical interviews and to add to the museum’s records. My research experience allowed me to pull together information about Dr Kissling to enhance the museum’s collections.

“I also learned a whole new set of skills involving press releases, radio interviews, and museum documentation practices. I can now take forward all these skills into a future career in research or the museum sector. I thoroughly enjoyed undertaking this project whilst working within the supportive environment of Dumfries Museum, getting advice and support from almost all members of staff at various points.” 

Siobhan Ratchford added:

“Dr Kissling’s archives are a very valuable insight into Scotland in times gone by. Without Kirsty we would never have had the capacity ourselves to do what she has achieved. We always knew that the collection was important, the fact that more of it is available and accessible to the public through better documentation will help preserve images of crafts which we have lost.”

Interface’s Business Engagement Executive for Dumfries and Galloway, Mari Findlay, said:

“It was great to be able to set up the relationship between Dumfries Museum and the University of Aberdeen which allowed Kirsty to work on such a historical and interesting project to safeguard Dr Werner Kissling’s legacy. The partnership has enhanced the visitor experience and ensured that the collection will be enjoyed more widely.”

Kirsty’s work on Futuremuseum.co.uk can be viewed here.

Kirsty will give a public talk on her work at Dumfries Museum on Thursday, 14 November, 2019 at 6.30pm.

A funding programme which helps business collaborate with Scotland’s universities and colleges has awarded over £6 million to boost innovation.

Funded by the Scottish Funding Council and administered by Interface, Innovation Vouchers offer a range of grants to help businesses offset the cost of collaborating with Scotland’s higher and further education institutes.

The funding can lead to positive impacts on business development with new products, processes and services. It also enhances university research through its application in real-world scenarios.

This month marks a key milestone for the funding programme, where more than 1,200 Standard Innovation Vouchers, with a value of up to £5,000 each, have been paid over the past seven years to support company-led innovations developed in partnership with a college or university. On top of this, 57 follow-on projects funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, have resulted in additional funding of £700,000 in the same time period.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Richard Lochhead said:

“Research and innovation are fundamental to create sustainable and inclusive growth. I very much welcome this milestone as evidence of the key role Innovation Vouchers and Interface play in creating additional value from the Scottish Government’s investment in our universities, colleges, innovation centres and research institutes to the benefit of businesses.”

Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:

“Innovation Vouchers play a vital role in connecting small and medium sized businesses with the knowledge and expertise in our colleges and universities. Across key industry sectors like energy, food and drink and tourism collaborations brought about through these vouchers have created new products, provided new services and supported new jobs.” 

Dr Siobhàn Jordan, Director of Interface, said:

“This funding has enabled these businesses to further develop or enhance a commercial product or service or improve productivity through the creation of a new business process. That’s an incredible £6.7 million that has been paid out to support business innovation in Scotland over the past seven years alone.”

Recent changes to the Innovation Voucher Programme – including a new Workforce Innovation Voucher to support innovation to develop a company’s workforce – have introduced greater flexibility to all eligible Scottish Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and a greater financial incentive to businesses to deepen their collaborations with their academic partner.

One such business that has benefited from the funding stream is Welbot, which was created to combat the ill effects of sedentary computer-bound working practices, in particular reducing employee stress and fatigue and helping manage musculoskeletal issues and general health through positive behaviour change. The company were matched by Interface to three universities to look at occupational stress, wellbeing in the workplace, and behaviour change in a technology setting, which helped the business develop and launch a commercial product.

Commenting on the level of support they have received from Interface, Welbot CEO Mykay Kamara, said:

“It’s amazing how much Interface have achieved in supporting us, especially with links to universities, across all the areas of expertise.”

Further information on Innovation Vouchers can be found here. 

A full case study on Welbot’s collaborations with universities can be found here. 

This is never more true than when like-minded businesses join forces with academic know-how to solve a challenge.  

Sector Engagement Manager, Howell Davies explains:

While my colleagues match individual businesses to universities and colleges to encourage innovation, the Sector Engagement Team supports groups of business in three sectors – food & drink, tourism and creative industries – bringing them together with academic expertise to tackle sector-wide challenges. Their collective strength from pooling resources can bring greater achievements, even when working closely with competing organisations. Here are some examples of groups of companies which have come together, with our support, to work with universities, and the benefits and outcomes achieved as a result: 

Tea Growing in Scotland 

Not many people know that Scotland has a burgeoning tea growing industry. A group of small growers is looking to develop a high-end quality product with its branding centred on Scottish provenance. By pooling their resources, the Tea Gardens of Scotland group has been working with the University of Aberdeen to authenticate the provenance of Scottish tea, based on chemical and molecular analysis. Together, they have been able to share knowledge and best practice, apply for funding and establish roots (excuse the pun!) to develop a supply of tea plants to market and sell collectively.  

Innovation in Distilling

A higher profile industry in Scotland – and one which is proud of maintaining traditional methods – is distilling. The Scottish Distillers Association started as a small group of distilleries keen to collaborate with each other and with academic researchers. Our objective in setting up the Association with Heriot-Watt University was to accelerate the growth of the sector through enhancing the knowledge of those establishing distilleries. Innovation is still seen as a key element in driving growth in an increasingly competitive global industry. This joined-up approach worked well to improve energy efficiency, develop fruit spirits and establish a botanicals library, which has been useful to the distillers to meet environmental goals, launch new products and meet international export requirements. To date, over 30 MSc students from Heriot-Watt University have been involved in projects with member distillers, giving them valuable industry experience.

The Association now represents 21 Scottish distilleries and focuses on protecting the provenance of Scottish spirits through accreditation, as well as giving access to market intelligence and insights to members.

Interface is in a privileged position where we build up relationships and intelligence with stakeholders, companies and academia.  We can provide a valuable overview of industry-wide challenges around sustainability and productivity at a company, sectoral and national level.  We are already engaging with companies and academics from a wide range of sectors and disciplines who are developing technology, expertise and resources which could potentially help solve some of these short, medium and longer-term challenges. 

First fully-sustainable island in Scotland?

A recent example of a collaboration brought together to help tackle a specific challenge has been with Arran’s hospitality sector.  Lead by environmental group EcoSavvy and local tourism organisation VisitArran, the community aims to build a circular economy to minimise waste and, where possible, add value to it.  Working with Topolytics, a data analytics and mapping company, and the University of Strathclyde, the multiparty group will develop innovative and sophisticated models to assess the operational, environmental and economic performance of various waste processing options and systems for the island community, whose population rockets from 5,000 to 40,000 in peak season. This could help Arran in its ambitions to become the first fully sustainable island in Scotland. 

Improving the visitor experience for the over 75s

A very different multi-group collaboration involved four major tourist attractions, including Rosslyn Chapel and the National Museum of Scotland, which were turned into “living labs” to research innovative programmes tailored for visitors over 75 years old. Working with Tourism Management academics from Edinburgh Napier University and a Cognitive Psychologist from Heriot-Watt University, the project was about creating positive and safe experiences for senior visitors across the tourism sector. The findings have now been disseminated far wider to the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions and charities, such as Age Concern, and will have a greater impact as a result.  

Collaborations like these can bring about positive solutions leading to positive impacts on the economy, society and environment, especially where they are disseminated as widely as possible for the benefit of all. 

From sporting icons protecting their brands to companies forging ahead with new technologies, materials and training equipment to deliver a more competitive edge, the world of sport is big business.

This year’s World Intellectual Property Day celebrates IP in sport with a campaign, Reach for Gold. Organisers, the World Intellectual Property Organisation, explained: “Business relationships built on IP rights help to secure the economic value of sport. This, in turn, stimulates growth of the industry by enabling sporting organisations to finance the events we savour, and by providing the means to promote sports development at the grassroots.”

Interface supports businesses as they develop and create new technologies, products or services which push the boundaries of sporting achievements further, faster and higher, often aiding athletes and sportspeople behind the scenes.

Recent statistics from the European Patent Office show that innovation is thriving in Scotland with an increase in the number of applications filed in recent years. Almost 300 patent applications were received from Scottish companies last year, a 7% rise on the previous year, with medical technology, digital communication and computer technology featuring strongly. A fifth of all applications came from small and medium-sized businesses, which shows that innovation is an important part of developing businesses of all sizes.

When collaborative projects generate IP it is important to be clear from the start who owns it – the business, the university, or jointly. Interface’s role is in matching up businesses with suitable academic partners, so we don’t get directly involved in IP agreements. However, we have paved the way for smoother collaborations by ensuring that all 19 of Scotland’s universities use standard and accessible legal templates, developed by Universities Scotland and Interface, for projects funded through the Scottish Funding Council’s Innovation Vouchers.

Here are some of our sporting achievements:

So, to give your business the competitive edge: ready, get set, go-innovate!

Fifteen years ago, the disconnect between small businesses and universities collaborating for R&D was obvious, however the solution on how to solve it was not.

There was no tried and tested model to follow, so when Interface was established in 2005, by Dr Siobhán Jordan and a small team of “connectors” to bridge the gap, they began by having conversations with the academic community and the business world to find out what both needed.

A well-defined challenging proposition, clear objectives and research and development projects to match strategic aims, capabilities and capacity was on the list from academia. Top requirements from businesses were expert knowledge to help solve issues in production, processes or services, options for funding, responsiveness through a clear time frame and peace of mind over intellectual property.

Interface has succeeded in bridging the gap with impressive results by addressing all of these wishes through its value proposition of impartial translation, passion for excellence and, above all, building relationships based on trust through people.

Today the picture is of a thriving environment of business-academic collaborations which have resulted in some ground-breaking research and development.

Interface has translated over 4,500 company-led propositions (expertise search specifications) to challenge academic teams from all disciplines. 2,900 unique businesses have established informative discussions with academic partners leading to many productive partnerships. Companies supported by Interface add an estimated £64.2 million GVA into the economy each year through new services, processes, products, or efficiencies leading to cost savings.

The Interface model, of a regionally-based team for Scottish universities and research institutes, has been held up internationally garnering interest from Australia, Poland, Denmark and other countries facing the challenge Scotland has successfully overcome.

Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in contributing to the economy and 95% of companies Interface supports have 50 or fewer employees. Not many of these companies will have R&D departments, and only some will have an individual dedicated to the role.

Research and development is sometimes viewed as being only for big businesses producing pioneering products, however even the smallest enterprises have the potential to make a big impact through innovation and collaboration.

Former medical student Chris McCann who is now making in-roads in the NHS and the U.S. with Current, a wireless, wearable device for monitoring patients’ health in hospitals and communities was helped by Interface. After a referral from the Digital Health & Care Institute Innovation Centre (DHI), Interface sourced expertise in the University of the West of Scotland. Through advising on funding, a Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher was awarded to help offset the cost of the project. The collaboration with the University generated proof of concept data around use of ultrasound to monitor patients’ hydration levels, which helped the development phase of the device.

Also receiving significant support from Interface was fruit and vegetable wholesaler, Malcolm Wood, whose “eureka” moment to stop waste starch clogging drains led to an innovative filtration system, Peel Tech. An introduction by Interface to academics at Abertay University helped develop the initial demonstrator model. Peel Tech has been commercialised and is now selling to fish and chip shops and other retailers, winning several awards for its innovation and environmental credentials.

As is often said in business, from small acorns grow mighty oaks and the impact of Interface connections are supporting pioneering Scottish companies and academics.

Creating new products, services or processes can be challenging, particularly for smaller businesses where time and money are in short supply. 

Tapping into universities is one way that small and medium-sized businesses can get ahead, but knowing who to ask and working out which institute offers the help a business needs can be daunting and time consuming. 

A free and impartial matchmaking service started in Scotland in 2005 and has helped hundreds of organisations across all sectors, including tourism, creative industries, energy and food and drink, to increase their profits, maximise their exports, and become more competitive in the marketplace. 

Interface connects businesses and organisations to Scottish universities, research institutes and colleges that can best provide the knowledge companies need. 

Lorna Watson is Interface’s Business Engagement Executive located in Tayside.

“We have worked with thousands of businesses and organisations and have very positive feedback about the experiences of partnering with academics. We would love to help more local businesses meet their goals in this way,” Lorna explained. 

“The benefits include business growth, job creation and security for existing staff, increased turnover, new or improved products, processes or services, and entry to new markets, all of which help strengthen businesses and contribute to their future success.”

Among the businesses Lorna has worked with are Highland Boundary, a craft distillery based in Alyth, near Blairgowrie. Co-founders Marian Bruce and Simon Montador identified a gap in the market for Scandinavian-inspired spirits with the botanicals sourced from local woodlands. Although they had significant experience in scientific research and business, they were keen to tap into academic expertise to develop new products.

Lorna spent time with the company understanding their needs and translating these into a initial project scope. Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling expressed an interest in working with the company and Lorna introduced the teams.

Funded by a Scottish Funding Council Standard Innovation Voucher administered by Interface, an MSc student at the university investigated ways of including the woodland botanicals to maximise flavour and consistency.

The company recently launched its first products. Marian said: 

“By accessing the expertise at Heriot-Watt University we were able to try out different botanicals to produce new flavours of spirit with distinct Scottish flavours reflecting Perthshire’s “big tree country.”

“Now that we have launched our first product, Birch and Elderflower Wild Scottish Spirit, we want to build the company and create employment in an area where manufacturing jobs are few and far between.”

“Lorna’s knowledge of academic expertise in Scotland and ability to translate what we needed was a huge help. We wouldn’t have known where to start, or had the time to search for the right expertise, so Interface’s support saved us valuable time and resource.”

Lorna added:

“We are really fortunate in this country to have some of the world’s top performing universities; four Scottish universities are listed in the world’s top 200, and they want to work with businesses large and small all over Scotland. Businesses can work with any one of the 23 universities and research institutes, so that is a fantastic choice of specialist knowledge in just about every subject area you can imagine.

“Sometimes people think that research and development is just for large corporates, however we match all sizes of companies with academic expertise with really positive results for both the business and the academic institution,” said Lorna. 

Interface has introduced over 2,850 businesses from across Scotland to academic partners. 

Some 83% of businesses collaborating with academia recorded reduced operating costs, increased productivity, profits, export, turnover or new/safeguarded employment. For areas where the economy is fragile, academic collaborations are making an important contribution. 

Business can also access specialist facilities such as 3D printers, microscopy, human performance labs, wave tanks, virtual reality and textile printing. 

The Interface team can help with information about funding options to offset the cost of collaborating with academia ranging from funding aimed at early stage feasibility studies and testing, to support for larger projects. 

For more information on Interface please visit interface-online.org.uk, or contact Lorna Watson Lorna.Watson@interface-online.org.uk and visit www.highlandboundary.com to find out more about Wild Scottish Spirit.

Ivan McKee, MSP, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, visited Interface’s Edinburgh office today (Tuesday, 18 December). He met Interface Director Dr Siobhán Jordan; Louise Arnold, Business Engagement Executive, (Interface); Mykay Kamara, Founder and CEO of Welbot, a company supported by Interface; along with Sam Deere, Chief Technical Officer (Welbot).

Interface introduced Welbot, a wellness management software provider, to multiple universities for a variety of research and development projects for the digital platform, including extracting knowledge and insights from data and machine learning, developing an application roadmap, marketing and incorporating psychological and behavioural sciences.

Read more about Welbot’s collaborations with universities here.  

Businesses will benefit from investment of £5 million into the national Interface programme, helping to match them to Scotland’s world-leading academic expertise.
 

Established in 2005, Interface connects organisations from a wide variety of industries to universities, research institutes and colleges. Funding will come from the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Companies supported by Interface contribute an estimated £64.2 million (gross value added) to the economy each year and the programme has introduced almost 3000 businesses to academic partners.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the funding at the official opening of the Roslin Innovation Centre, where she also met businesses that had benefited from the Interface service.

She said:

“Scotland is home to some of the most highly-rated research institutions in the world and we continue to invest to ensure this leads to practical industry innovation. This further investment from the Scottish Funding Council and the enterprise agencies in Interface will help to amplify our talent and expertise by connecting national and international industry with all of Scotland’s universities, research institutes and colleges.

“This boosts productivity, profits and exports and creates jobs, and many companies that have benefited from Interface funding say their project would not have happened without its support.

“This additional £5 million will help nurture links between world-leading research and innovation, which provide a competitive edge for industry, and support valuable inward investment and exports.”

Dr Siobhán Jordan, Director of Interface, said:

“There is huge potential in partnering businesses with our world-leading academic institutes to develop creative solutions for commercial problems. Businesses don’t always know how to tap into academic expertise; this funding will ensure that Interface can continue to make valuable connections leading to transformational collaborative research and development.  By fostering new connections between industry and academia we can tackle economic and societal challenges in innovative ways.”

Prof. Andrea Nolan, Chair of Interface Strategic Board, said:

“We welcome the new investment in Interface from SFC and the enterprise agencies to realise our ambitious plans for the next five years to increase business-academic collaborations and develop impactful long-term partnerships to bring even greater benefits to Scotland’s economy.”

John Kemp, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:

“Interface plays an important role in supporting an innovative economy to create future jobs and prosperity. I’m delighted that SFC and its economic development partners are able to make this investment and look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to Scotland.”

Background

The Interface programme is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Scottish Funding Council will invest £4.5 million, Scottish Enterprise will invest £450,000 and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will invest £282, 341.

Case studies are available online.

Photo courtesy of The Scottish Government.