Jan Zandbergen Group opens new innovation centre

30 March 2023 Jan Zandbergen Group celebrated the opening of their Food Innovation Centre in exclusive company during the event: 'The Taste of Innovation'. Invited guests could listen to lectures by Rabobank and Wageningen University, among others, but above all, there was plenty of opportunity to taste both animal and vegetable protein innovations. With the opening of the new innovation centre, Jan Zandbergen Group makes it clear that they are more than just a meat company.

"We are an important player in the global protein supply," said CEO Peter-Paul Zandbergen. "This innovation centre is a place where our departments, customers and agencies come together. Where we can develop new products and explore different ways to produce them with sustainability in mind."

The innovation centre is located in Veenendaal in the heart of the Dutch 'Food Valley', giving Jan Zandbergen Group access to some of the brightest minds in food technology and research. For instance, partnerships have already been established with leading universities and bodies such as Wageningen University and The Protein Community of the Foodvalley region. In addition, synergy between the various sister companies Divande and Future Food Group is necessary for progress, and that is what this centre represents for Jan Zandbergen Group.

The new innovation centre includes an 'Experience Centre', where visitors can attend cooking demonstrations and tastings. Besides a fully equipped professional kitchen including various catering ovens and an indoor BBQ, there is a full Research & Development research lab. The in-house team of product developers already develop more than 100 products a year and will have even more opportunities thanks to these new facilities. "Innovation is paramount, but both visitors and our employees need to feel comfortable here," says Laurens Zandbergen, manager of marketing at Jan Zandbergen Group. For example, company employees can exercise in the in-house gym, there is extensive company catering, the office gardens are spacious and every colleague has a sit-stand desk.

The innovation centre is just one part of Jan Zandbergen Group's aim to become a leader in sustainable protein production. With this new centre, the company has taken a step towards achieving its goal.

Janzandbergen.nl