Arla further strengthens its innovation agenda
Arla Foods has created a new Product and Innovation organisation in order to strengthen its innovation and global product agenda.
The new organisation will be responsible for all product-related activities, which encompasses research and technology development, product development and management of all product and packaging changes.
“The new set up will enable closer collaboration with our commercial zones, markets and supply chain, ensuring that we are driving our global innovation and product agendas from the strongest possible position to maximise the value of our products,” said Hanne Søndergaard, executive vice president and CMO.
“With the aim for half of our growth to come from innovation, it’s a key element of our strategy and an essential element in our mission to create the highest possible value for the milk supplied by our cooperative owners,” she said.
A new senior vice president has been appointed to head up the new organisation. Lars Dalsgaard has 35 years of experience in Arla including six years in the UK, and has been instrumental in developing Arla’s footprint both in cheese, ingredients and the UK. He is currently head of global supply chain manufacturing for cheese, butter and powder (CBP).
On Dalsgaard’s appointment, Søndergaard said: “Lars has the perfect combination of skills, expertise and experience within the business and is passionate about taking both our innovation and product agendas to the next level.”
A new innovation model has also been introduced, which Søndergaard said will double the impact in half the time: “We will be more experimental, faster to market and roll out successes with speed. We’re also placing innovation leadership in market and global/zone brand teams who are closest to our consumers and customers.
“As one of the world’s leading dairy companies, we must be in a position to drive and lead dairy innovation on a global scale in order to increase the value of our products and create new business for Arla worldwide.”
