Situated in the buzzing hub of Leicester Food Park, The Food Incubator officially began its journey in 2021 following a positive shift in demand for outsourced thermal processing expertise and technology solutions. The team are proactively committed to sustainability, innovation and NPD within the food manufacturing sector, working with customers to identify the right thermal process to deliver maximum product safety and optimum shelf life, whilst retaining organoleptic properties.
Working with artisan food manufacturers to scale-up production without the need for capital investment, through to NPD projects and management of excess retorting requirements for multinational brands, The Food Incubator boasts a foundation of over 50 years of thermal processing expertise.
To close the evidence and compliance loop alongside their Lagarde Autoclaves, The Food Incubator team initiated an ongoing collaboration with process control experts Tecnosoft, securing exclusive UK distribution rights for the company’s data loggers. Temperature data loggers are imperative to ensure accuracy and demonstrate compliance within the pasteurisation and sterilisation process.
Reinforcing The Food Incubator’s commitment to the highest standards of process validation and their understanding of the budget restrictions experienced by start-ups and small businesses, this partnership with Tecnosoft is the most cost-effective monitoring solution without quality compromises.
The Food Incubator team strongly believe that compliance shouldn’t have to be complicated, with Tecnosoft’s inclusive SPD:management software representing the perfect reporting solution. Simple, flexible and intuitive, the software enables users to print reports complete with graphs and tables, alongside the details of the specific instrument used for monitoring. The software is dedicated to process and instrumentation validations, with a particular focus on autoclaves / retorts.
Embodying the strapline ‘Innovate, Incubate, Accelerate’, The Food Incubator team support businesses of all sizes to achieve their thermal processing objectives, without the need for restrictive co-packing agreements:
Process Establishment
The team will work with you to reveal what your product looks and tastes like after thermal processing – and they’ll find the best solution to preserve flavour and aesthetic appeal.
Extended testing work
The team can create product samples for evaluation or presentation to colleagues / key stakeholders / retailer prospects.
Small batch runs
New start-ups requiring thermally processed products can work with The Food Incubator to launch, initially on lower product runs.
Existing food manufacturers
The team offer specialist assistance to established food manufacturers, providing access to their testing, increased capacity, promotional activities and training services.
Validation
The team will initiate multiple runs using industrial technology and provide data analysis for validation purposes. This will assist with evaluating the potential for full scalability.
Training
The team can deliver bespoke training courses to enable the upskilling of operators and technical staff, encouraging a deeper understanding of retorting and thermal processing.
Thermal Processing Induction
The Food Incubator can train new members of your team who are not yet familiar with thermal processing to help them fully understand the concept of shelf-life extension
NPD
The team can help you with your new product development plans, providing expert guidance at the early stages of the journey towards production, to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a seamless rollout.
Meet The Team
Tom Russell – Managing Director
Starting his career as a Management Trainee at Unilever, Tom’s CV includes a wide range of household names from Flora and Bach Flower Remedies, through to Celtic Bakers and the Fabulous Bakin’ Boys where he grew sales from £1.5million to £20million in his role as Marketing and General Manager.
Prior to his role at The Food Incubator, Tom worked as Managing Director of Everfresh Natural Foods, a specialised bakery making breads and cakes from sprouted grains. Fully appreciating the benefits of thermal processing, the Everfresh team actively worked with pasteurising equipment to give their breads and cakes 10 months ambient shelf-life with no preservatives, giving them the distribution time to export globally.
James Turner – Chief Incubator
As the Chief Incubator, James has a wealth of experience in thermal processing evaluation and consultation, process development, project management and new product development.
With over eighteen years’ industry experience, James’ roles have included process development within the research sector and NPD specialist for a major UK food producer which included commissioning and validating new lines.
For further information on The Food Incubator or Tecnosoft’s range of temperature data loggers call 0116 467 0830 or email info@thefoodincubator.co.uk.
