Sector Examples: Food and Drink

Project aim: To explore attitudes to quality management systems in the bacon processing industry.

Methodology: The investigation covered the quality control systems that are in operation in the bacon and ham industry in the United Kingdom. We interviewed a number of leading meat processors and retail outlets to investigate decision-makers’ awareness of and satisfaction with the systems, which the bacon industry had in place.

Results: The outcome of the research helped our client to understand what initiatives they had to take to promote its quality management system.

Project aim: To research the size and structure of the UK popcorn industry.

Methodology: Our client commissioned IBR to undertake a detailed study of the UK popcorn industry with the aim of publishing the results, which would be circulated around the trade. The research results provided the trade with a thorough understanding of the ways in which the popcorn market operated in the UK. Profiles of the main end-use market outlets, such as the cinema industry, were given.

Results: The report was distributed to all key players in the UK with plans to publish a series of reports on an occasional basis, to keep the industry informed of key issues.