Company Harvests New Ideas
Mark Bush of Summer Harvest Oils took part in the pilot Supply Chain Innovation project. Based in rural Perthshire, the company is run by Mark and his wife Maggie and produces cold pressed rapeseed oil. Mark and Maggie have recently teamed up with the chefs at Wilde Thyme to produce a range of dressings using their oil, and fruit jellies and vinegars from Dalchonzie Fruit Farm. Mark's business model is predicated on new product development, based around the basic ingredients and collaboration with other food companies.
When Mark saw the Supply Chain Innovation programme on the C2 website, he thought it fitted really well with the company ethos. The programme reinforced his business model - a low risk approach by generating new product ideas and either outsourcing production or looking for partnerships to develop those ideas. Summer Harvest Oils also try to move from idea stage to market as quickly as possible.
Taking part in the SCI programme helped Mark realise that this is a sound business model - the whole approach is to generate ideas, test their chances of success, and follow through as quickly as possible on those with potential
The experience also gave Mark new skills and a new toolset to take forward into future product development.
Key points from this case study:
- Taking part in the SCI project gave Mark skills which he will be able to use in future
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