From Development to delivery
How We Work
At Finedale Foods, we have well-established processes to bring your concept for a new product, fully prepared product brief, or anything in between through the various development stages and into full production. We’ll work with you to ensure the process is as efficient and effective as possible while ensuring strong business, technical, and food safety decisions are taken at every stage.
The process we use differs depending on whether you are a company with a new product idea or an own label business with an in-house product development team. Our flexible approach and expertise mean we are equally comfortable working with new brands on product development as we are aligning with the in-house teams that are potentially further into the process when we get involved.
bringing product ideas to life
Our Development Stages
The description of the various stages below will give you a broad outline of our approach. However, all projects and products are different, so the specific process we follow for your project will be customised to your requirements. For example, the process will be different for an NPD (new product development) project compared to an EPD (existing product development) project.
Stage 1
Feasibility Assessment
The starting point is a consultation where our team will get an understanding of your requirements so we can conduct an early-stage feasibility assessment. This assessment will give you information on whether your project is within our scope and capabilities, as well as the next stages and the estimated timelines and costs.
We are very open and honest during these initial stages to ensure you receive accurate, value-adding advice and recommendations.
We’ll then move on to a more detailed visualisation and validation of your concept before scoping the technical requirements and creating draft project milestones. We can give you further advice on the technical and commercial feasibility of the concept in this early stage.
Stage 2
Development
Our team will work on optimising your product for manufacturing, including cost optimising the recipe. Samples will be produced for development and sign-off, and the packaging will be developed. We’ll also develop and agree the manufacturing process that we’ll use to produce your product.
Stage 3
Validate
The validation stage involves manufacturing trials and developing technical confidence in the process. Refinements will be made where necessary. Final consumer validation also takes place during this stage as well as final costings. The packaging is also designed, signed off, and approved.
Stage 4
Implement
This is the production planning stage where ingredients and materials are ordered, and we go through the manufacturing transfer process where responsibility moves from our development team to the operational team.
Stage 5
Launch
Full production begins with regular reviews of performance so continuous improvements can be made.
Get in touch
Arrange a consultation
To speak to a member of our team about your requirements and to find out more about our processes, please get in touch today.