As part of IFFI’s Routes to Market series, this event brings together representatives from Albert Heijn and IFFI member companies to explore how stronger collaboration between food retailers and ingredient manufacturers can create greater value across the food value chain.
As part of IFFI’s Routes to Market series, IFFI is hosting an exclusive workshop in collaboration with Albert Heijn to explore the innovation domains ingredient manufacturers should focus on across different categories.
The workshop will be held at Hotel Intell in Zaandam, within the proximity of Albert Heijn head office and at the heart of the Zaanstreek. Since the 17th century European oldest industrial area and still home to many ingredients manufacturers.
IFFI represents a business network of more than 30 ingredients manufacturers who play a critical role in the food industry through the management of global supply chains, large-scale production capabilities, and the development of sustainable food innovations.
As ingredient manufacturers increasingly influence innovation further downstream in the value chain, they are becoming more relevant partners for retailers. At the same time, the growing importance of private label in retail creates new dynamics and demands. Private label manufacturers often operate with different priorities, business models and innovation needs than traditional brand owners, requiring new forms of collaboration and market engagement.
In this joint effort of IFFI and the teams ‘Format & Innovation’ and ‘Quality, Health & Sustainability’ of Albert Heijn the participants will explore together, which innovation domains need to be addressed by food ingredients manufacturers. Starting from the consumer perspective and macro-trends as defined by Albert Heijn!
Questions to be addressed in this interactive workshop are:
1. What are the 4 key innovation domains that ingredient manufacturers need to address together with food producers?
2. What are the top 3 categories per key innovation domain that deliver the required innovations?
3. What are the top 3 constraints per key innovation domain that hinder the delivery of innovations?
Under the theme “Partnering for Impact: Accelerating Innovation Across the Value Chain,” discussions will focus on the strategic priorities and practical actions needed to build long-term sustainable value while delivering tangible commercial results within the next 1 to 1,5 years.
Hosted at Inntel Hotels Zaandam, directly opposite the headquarters of Albert Heijn, the event provides a unique platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing and relationship building between ingredient manufacturers and food retailers shaping the future of food innovation and routes to market.
12:00 – 13:00 hrs
Walk-in & light lunch
13:00 – 13:10 hrs
Opening by Halbe Vogel, IFFI
13:10 – 13:30 hrs
‘Accelerating Innovation Across the Value Chain’ (WHY) by ……to be announced, Albert Heijn
13:30 – 13:50 hrs
‘Macro-trends, from the consumer perspective’ by …… to be announced, Albert Heijn
13:50 – 14:20 hrs
Develop added value by partnering for impact – plenary session
14:20 – 14:50 hrs
Break
14:50 – 15:50 hrs
Define key innovation domains for adding value (WHAT) – break-out session
15:50 – 16:20 hrs
Break
16:20 – 16:50 hrs
Reflection on the proposed impact options – plenary session
16:50 – 17:00 hrs
Wrap up and closing by Halbe Vogel, IFFI
17:00 – 18:00 hrs
Drinks & Bites
The strategic workshop ‘Partnering for impact’ will be open for IFFI affiliating companies, the participation is limited to 2 representatives per company preferably working within the field of Innovation, Commerce and/or Business Development.
The workshop ‘Partnering for Impact’ is a collaboration between IFFI and Albert Heijn to define mutual domains for innovation and create value further downstream in the food value chain.
The workshop is for IFFI affiliated companies only.
If you have any questions, please contact Marita Kloosterboer, Event Manager (marita@iffi.nu).
Inntel Hotel Zaandam
Provincialeweg 102
1506 MD Zaandam
The Zaanstreek is widely regarded as Europe’s oldest industrial region. From the 17th century onward, its extensive network of wind-powered mills processed food ingredients on an unprecedented scale, including vegetable oils, spices, cocoa, and herbs. This concentration of milling, trading, and food-processing activities laid the foundation for a thriving ingredients industry and helped establish the region as an early center of industrial innovation in Europe.
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is a distinctive four-star hotel in the heart of Zaandam, famous for its iconic architecture inspired by traditional Zaan houses. Located next to Zaandam Station and just minutes from Amsterdam, the hotel combines modern comfort with local heritage, and easy access to the historic Zaan region and its industrial heritage.
