Product development for global brand Develey

It all started with a conversation about good food and the right seasoning when MCI course director Katrin Bach met Bernhard Burger, head of product development at Develey, for the first time. The discussion that ensued was wide-ranging and quickly led to the question of what constitutes a "good" spice: if it tastes good, is uncomplicated to use, retailers can sell it at a good price, or the industry achieves competitive advantages through know-how and efficiency? Both the production and the consumption side have to be included in the consideration, as well as the entire value chain and its environmental impact.

This is where the opportunities at Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) and the needs and requirements of Develey meet. The MCI Master's programme Food Technology & Nutrition addresses precisely these issues. The focus of the collaboration is on the analysis and further development of recipes and processes for mustard and mayonnaise. For Develey, the analytical know-how of the MCI researchers and their special knowledge of the raw materials used, such as mustard seeds, are of particular importance, while the MCI students benefit from working on "real" products and production processes in a leading European company.

Since its foundation more than 170 years ago, the traditional Bavarian company Develey has relied on a pioneering spirit and a love of innovation. The special strengths of a medium-sized family business on the one hand and innovation and growth on the other form the pillars of the company based in Unterhaching near Munich. Develey is known beyond its borders, among other things, for its decades-long cooperation with McDonalds. In Austria, people are particularly familiar with the popular traditional brand Mautner Markhof, which is managed locally by the independent subsidiary. Sustainability and "thinking in generations" characterise Develey, and so the company is certified according to the "Standard for Sustainable Business" and has received several awards for its sustainability concept. Develey employs 2,000 people at six locations in Germany. Develey also has production facilities in France, Russia, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Tennessee (USA).

As part of the MCI Master's programme in Food Technology & Nutrition, students acquire in-depth know-how about food and nutrition, manufacturing techniques and processes, the identification and characterisation of nutritionally relevant properties and the effects of food. The aim is for graduates to be able to contribute substantially to the successful economic development of companies in the food sector. Already during their studies, students gain valuable practical experience by participating in industry and research projects.

MCI programme director Katrin Bach sees the cooperation as a perfect enrichment of the Master's programme: "Our students can apply their theoretical knowledge directly in practice and also get to know a highly interesting medium-sized industrial company practically right on their doorstep."

Bernhard Burger, Head of Product Development at Develey, is pleased to have found a university partner with a similar philosophy and understanding in the MCI: "We immediately found a good basis for communication with the MCI team and could see after a short time that the MCI researchers understood our company and our products and processes well and could seamlessly contribute their know-how."

And Monika Bauer, Head of Process Development, adds: "It is exciting and enriching for both sides that we have already been able to accompany several students on projects and theses. We benefit from the findings and get to know interesting young people. They, in turn, work on current topics whose solutions are actually implemented. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved