What we can do.......

We have worked on a diverse range of projects which broadly come under these six headings:

Precision Agriculture and Application equipment

Food chain issues and industrial markets

Improving Crop Production

Different input technologies used in the production and protection of crops require different approaches to marketing. How Innovation Management has helped:

Agriculture and Horticulture

Analysis of the UK seed treatment market
Economic impact of research into agrochemical resistance
Analysis of the market for micronutrients in the EU with particular emphasis on the UK, Spain and France.
A strategic report on the impact of climate change on crop production –see Impact Reports
Production of a business development plan including regulatory issues for a novel plant growth stimulant in the UK, Netherlands, Denmark
Desk study on the European and North American markets for seed treatment and foliar applied fungicides
Survey on the European market for film coatings and colourants as seed treatments
Report on the market for fruit insecticides and organic produce production in Italy
Report on the market potential and price parameters for a biomass waste derived phosphate fertiliser in Thailand
Market and strategic analysis for an international company supplying fertilisers, agrochemicals, seeds into eight Middle East and North African States
Providing the regulatory framework for a Phosphite fertiliser in the EU

Agricultural Biotechnology

Providing support for organisations with ambitions to market genetically modified crops has been a core activity for Innovation Management since it was first established. As the issues have developed so has the type of support provided. How Innovation Management has helped:

Agricultural opportunities

Co-author of an in depth review of the technology and business status of transgenic crops.
Multi-client study on the status and issues associated with transgenic crops in North America
Analysis of the potential for disease resistant wheat crops

Food chain studies

Telephone survey of the attitudes and policies towards GM foods by the UK food industry
Desk study on the utilisation of wheat in the EU
Study of the market for GM potatoes for the snack food industry
Study tour of the agricultural biotechnology industry in the USA
Interview and reporting programme on the status of GM foods in the EU retailing, food processing, animal feed and primary processing industries

Industrial and Renewable Energy applications

Market analysis of the opportunity for an enhanced industrial property oilseed crop in Europe
Strategic analysis of industrial markets for enhanced wheat in Europe
Review of public and private sector biotechnology applications into renewable materials in the USA and France

Precision Agriculture and Application equipment

One of the emerging agricultural developments in North America and Europe since the mid 1990s has been the concept of Precision Agriculture, or Site Specific Agriculture. Bringing together the application of Geographic Positioning Systems, GPS, agronomic decision support systems, variable application equipment and satellite imagery has presented a major marketing and communication challenge. Developments in equipment for the improved application of agrochemicals require specialist technical and marketing support. How Innovation Management has helped:

Precision Agriculture

Innovation Management’s role, in the last few years, has been in support of Sky-Farm Limited as part of a service for farmers as well as R & D projects for different agri-businesses.

Application Equipment

Market study on the potential of a novel agricultural sprayer in the UK
Market and distributor analysis for a granule applicator component in the USA
Interim Management of a team effort on the commercial development of a novel agricultural sprayer
Study on the global market for hand held insecticide granule applicators
Management of a technical and market review of direct injection systems for agricultural sprayers

Industrial and Energy Crops

Developing the use of crops and agricultural waste materials as a source of products for industry or for conversion to electric power or heat is the focus of considerable public sector and private research worldwide. A core activity for Innovation Management, it has supported companies and Government agencies in helping to develop policies and prioritise commercial development work.

Industrial crop products and biofuels

A report on the impact of biofuels on crop production world wide– see Impact Reports
Co-author of a report based on a study on the opportunities for oil seed rape meal for industrial markets
Market analysis of the industrial uses of oilseed crops in Europe
Published an EC funded industry newsletter on industrial crop developments
International study and policy analysis of the implementation of Government and private sector research into renewable raw materials for industry.
A multi-client study of the opportunity for industrial and energy crops in the EU

Biomass for energy

Study on the agricultural, economic and environmental impact of bioenergy crops in the UK
Global report on the technologies and markets for biomass for energy
A report on the agricultural implications of energy crops in the EU
Lead consultancy in a survey and analysis into the research needs for the British biomass for energy market
Global report on the technologies and markets for biomass for energy (in preparation)

Home, Garden and Amenity Markets

These markets present quite different challenges from those of agricultural markets. Innovation Management has supported a number of organisations wishing to introduce new products and services into the sector. How Innovation Management has helped:

Management of market analysis and measurement of consumer reaction towards a biological molluscicide in the garden market in the UK
Market and distribution study on the market for liquid fertilisers in the EU
Report on the opportunity for an iron based fertiliser in amenity and turf grass markets in the USA and the EU

Food Chain Issues & Industrial Markets

Innovation Management has also worked in the food industry for public sector organisations and industrial clients in other markets. How Innovation Management has helped:

Food chain issues

Interviews and report on services needed by food companies within a UK region for the local Government authority
Interview programme with supermarket managers in the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Sweden to assess attitudes towards fruit labelling on behalf of an international labelling company
Organiser of a national food industry conference for the Chartered Institute of Marketing
Desk and interview study on data management and branding of meat and dairy products in the retail, catering and processing industries in Europe and North America.
Co-author of a multi client study on the application of electronics in crop agriculture and traceability systems along the food chain

Industrial market studies

Telephone survey on the readership trends of a technical source book in the USA on behalf of a scientific society
Survey on the European market for film coatings and pigments
Desk study on the European market for grass cutting equipment used in golf courses and parks