"Our dedication to innovation, and in turn increasing consumer and customer value, has been an integral part of Sara Lee's transformation," said Brenda Barnes, chairman and CEO of Sara Lee Corp. "Now, with The Kitchens of Sara Lee, we are fully equipped to turn consumer insights into products that differentiate us in the marketplace."
The facility allows research and development teams to test product, processes and preparations before implementing mass production.
Highlights include:
Packaging Labs with rapid prototyping capabilities can shape plastic and paper prototypes in minutes and test packaging before suppliers begin production. Meat Labs offer bench-top product formulation capabilities, and also simulate Sara Lee plant processes to test product components and packaging prototypes before they enter full-scale production. The Bakery Pilot Plant allows a better understanding of how formulas will translate to commercial-size facilities, and offers new process testing and bench-top product formulation. Foodservice Kitchens feature plug-and-play equipment that can be custom-arranged to replicate a quick-service restaurant or a foodservice operation. Sensory & Product Performance Labs assist with turning consumer insights into desired product attributes and scalable design that increases value to customers. Because of the new facilities' flexibility and customizable resources, Sara Lee North American businesses are better positioned to further improve the innovation process, it said. The Kitchens of Sara Lee brings the research and development teams closer to the brands on which they work, which increases speed-to-market for new products.
"Our vision is to be the most insightful, most innovative and most disciplined food company in the categories we operate in. The Kitchens of Sara Lee represents an exciting new stage for our innovation vision," said Philippe Schaillee, vice president, marketing, strategy and research and development. "By connecting our consumer, customer and operator insights to the product development process, the new facility will enable our teams to increase success rates for new products."
The new innovation campus is named "The Kitchens of Sara Lee" in honor of the company founded by Charles Lubin in 1949 and acquired by Consolidated Foods in 1956. Consolidated Foods became Sara Lee Corp. in 1985. Lubin's daughter and Sara Lee namesake, Sara Lee Schupf, attended the opening to acknowledge the dedication in memory of her father.
The company's food, beverage, household and body care brands include Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate more than $13 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 200 countries.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.