News & Forthcoming Events

Expert advice from Glasgow Caledonian University on

- Nutrition & Dietetics

- Shelf-life  Testing

- Labelling Advice

- Food Safety & Hygiene

- HACCAP Training

- Factory Audits

Plus business & grant advice, networking opportunities with food & tourism businesses and free buffet lunch

To register for this free event:

Book online, email or tel: 0141 331 8458

This event is supported by

Expert advice from Glasgow Caledonian University on:

- Networking and Communication Technologies

- Database Engineering/Web Development

- Interactive Media & Experience Design

- Mobile & Pervasive Computing

- Digital Security

- Electronic Product Design

- Usability Evaluation

- CPD for ICT Professionals

Plus assistance on how to implement new technologies, business development & grant funding advice and networking opportunities over lunch with other companies in your area.

To register for this free event:

Book online, email or tel: 0141 331 8458

This event is supported by

A new programme hasbeen launched to help small and medium sized companies reduce their costs and save money by using carbon footprinting techniques within their business.

The programme is being operated by the Caledonian Environment Centre here at Glasgow Caledonian University and aims to launch a pilot event in Ayrshire soon before going national later in 2010.

The Sustainable Food & Drink programme will help food and drink companies measure their carbon footprint, develop carbon reductions strategies and find and implement appropriate solutions.

This support and advice is free of charge and available on a one-to-one basis over three levels of involvement that recognise different degrees of knowledge and existing initiatives.  Companies which would like to participate in the programme can register their interest and receive further information about the support available from: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/registerforsfd   

If you have any queries or require further information about the new programme, please contact the Programme Director, Paulo Cruz on 0141-273-1425 or e-mail paulo.cruz@gcal.ac.uk

The eighth Food and Drink Forum West event will take place at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Every company needs to embrace new product development. Replacement products must be found in order to maintain or build future sales. Furthermore, customers expect new products.

This event will help attendees to understand key trends within the food and drink industry that are influencing new product development activity, and also provide an insight into the process by showcasing two examples. Mark Thomson from TNS Global (a very popular presenter from one of our previous events), will provide us with a detailed and interesting overview of new product development activity within our industry.

Our first case study will be Fraser Doherty, the proprietor of the award-winning Super Jam. Fraser has been named Scotland’s Best Young Innovator by the prestigious John Logie Baird Awards. Fraser’s products are made from 100% pure fruit and he supplies many of the big supermarkets. Our second case study will be confirmed over the next few days.

To register click here

KIT-OUT’s annual Technology Showcase is taking place this year at the Saltire Centre in Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) on Friday 23rd October 2009.

The event will feature around 40 stands and exhibits from the academic, public and private sectors. Delegates attending will be able to meet and talk with companies who have undertaken collaborative knowledge transfer projects with GCU’s academic experts.

They will also be able to  see the range of technology and expertise available to companies of all sizes from the University’s departments, some of which will be demonstrated at the event. For those participants with project ideas or new products under development, they will be able to discuss innovation grants, funding opportunities and other business development assistance available from a range of public sector support bodies who will also be exhibiting.

The Technology Showcase is a great opportunity for industry to explore what GCU can offer and to help it implement new technologies, develop the new products and innovative services, companies need in order to stay competitive.

The event is open from 11am – 3pm, is free to attend and a buffet lunch will be provided.

To register

Book online, email or telephone 0141 331 8458

Directions

Click here for travel directions and campus map

Download a copy of the event poster

KIT-OUT is hosting the Ayrshire & Arran Food Clinic in conjunction with the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.

It is an informal free drop-in event being held on Thursday 8th October at The Gailes Hotel, Irvine.

Come along and meet food experts from Glasgow Caledonian University who will be available to provide advice on:

- Shelf-life testing

- Labelling

- Food safety & hygiene

- Factory audits

- Nutrition & Dietetics

- Business & grant advice

- Selling to supermarkets

Whether you are a food producer or supplier or run a restaurant, hotel or B&B there should be something of interest to you.

Over a buffet lunch, you will have the chance to meet with other food companies and potential new suppliers.  The KIT-OUT team will be there too if you want to discuss any potential project ideas you may have, which could be supported by the project.

The event is free and you can attend anytime from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

To register your interest, please call 0141 331 8458, email or register online.

Download a copy of the event poster.

The International Piping Live! Festival in Glasgow saw the launch of a unique new fast food product – the Haggis Dog! It’s similar to a hot dog but is made with a blend of haggis and quality sausage meat. The product was developed by Mark Shaw, owner of Haggis’n’Neeps, a small food company currently collaborating with Glasgow Caledonian University’s Department of Computing and Creative Technology on an innovative design project.

The Haggis Dog™ is produced for the company by Simon Howie Butchers and is served in a traditional hot dog roll topped with a range of delicious Scottish chutneys from Henshelwoods Fine Foods – another of KIT-OUT’s clients. The new product made its first public appearance in George Square in Glasgow during Piping Live! and provided many of the foreign tourists in the city with an opportunity to taste haggis and hear the bagpipes at the same time!

Glasgow Caledonian University's Division of Computing and Creative Technology has been successful in gaining 3 of the new SPIRIT (Strategic Priority Investment in Research and Innovation Translation) awards, which were recently launched by the Scottish Funding Council to assist University/SME collaboration.

The grants will part fund collaborative projects with three small companies, introduced to the University by the KIT-OUT team, to design and develop new products including energy efficient cooking systems, sustainable buildings using recycled materials and innovative food packaging for gluten free products.

KIT-OUT the Park’s Project Manager, Derek Gallaher, was invited to present the project’s experiences of knowledge transfer projects and innovation stimulation in small tourism businesses to a group of tourism professionals from Norway last week.

The presentation and case studies, delivered at the National Park Headquarters in Balloch, was one of the highlights of the final day of the 5 day Scotland Study tour. The 24 visitors from Norway, who had sampled a variety of Scottish tourist attractions, were keen to learn about how Scotland promotes innovation within the tourism sector.

Professor David Litteljohn introduced the presentation via a podcast filmed in Cultural Business’s new media studios to demonstrate how the University is using new technologies in the sector.

KIT-OUT the Park has successfully assisted their client, Scotia Radio Services, in securing a Scottish Government SCORE grant. 

Scotia Radio Services, in collaboration with the School of Engineering and Computing (led by Phil Orme of Product Design), are developing a communications device that allows spectators to receive premium based audio content during major corporate sporting events. The device will be aimed at a wide range of spectator sporting events including football, golf, rugby, cricket, and motor sport.

The development will involve product specification and proof of concept for a new electronic device to meet an identified market need. The content package will also be developed and tested; both device and content will be highly customisable, maximising the market opportunity.

Free drop-in event to discover how innovation and investing in knowledge can improve competitiveness in your business

Expert advice will be available on:

- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

- How to develop long-term relationships with universities

- R&D/Innovation Grants

- Glasgow Caledonian's University's technological expertise

- Finding trading partners in Europe

- Getting involved in European R&D projects

Also:

- Network with like minded companies

- Business development support & funding advice

- Free buffet lunch

- Fee guided distillery tour following the event

Register online, email or telephone 0141 331 8458.

Download the event poster

Rosneath-based Silvers Marine (UK) Ltd. has been awarded a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University. The School of Engineering & Computing will develop and implement a novel boat yard production control and management system.

This will see it deliver automated and online stock control, order tracking, sophisticated management reporting, performance analysis tools, as well as improved customer experience.  Silvers Marine’s Managing Director, Mark Aikman commented, "Innovation and providing customers with the best possible service is the key to staying competitive”.

The Sustainability Event for Businesses in Tourism

Free drop-in event with information on how to use green technologies in your business

Expert advice will be available on:

- How to sell your own electricity

- Renewable energy -pros & cons

- Energy efficiency

- Sustainable buildings

- Carbon footprinting

- Waste minimisation

Also:

- Assitance on how to implement new technologies

- Network with other companies

- Business development support & funding advice

- Free buffet lunch

Register online, email or telephone 0141 331 8458.

Download the event poster

Join us for a practical lunchtime networking session and meet the experts from Glasgow Caledonian University’s School of Engineering and Computing who will be available to provide advice on:

- Smarter Use of IT  (processes and business management)

- Interactive Media/Digital Training  (3D animation/modelling and digital

   entertainment)

- Systems Design & Engineering (mobile &  pervasive computing,

   digital security  biometrics and electronic product design)

- Communication Systems & Engineering (network engineering, CPD)

- Experience Design

- Usability Evaluation (purpose built evaluation facilities)

Over a buffet lunch, you will have the chance to meet with other companies and potential new suppliers or customers.  The KIT-OUT team will be there too if you want to discuss any potential project ideas you may have, which could be supported by us.  So whether you have a project in mind to develop your business or are just interested in innovative solutions, there should be something of interest to you.

There have been some new grants launched recently and business advisers will be on hand to discuss the various funding opportunities and support organisations will be available.  The West of Scotland Knowledge Transfer Partnership can show you how they develop partnerships between businesses and universities and is a good way of developing technology within your business.

Register online email or telephone 0141 331 8458.

Download the event poster.

Come along to our free lunchtime drop-in session to meet our food technology experts featuring:

- Expert advice from Glasgow Caledonian University on

              - Food safety

              - Food hygiene

              - Labelling

              - Nutrition & Dietetics

              - Shelf-life

- Visit GCU’s food laboratories

- Business & grant funding advice

- Network with other food/tourism businesses

- Enjoy a free buffet lunch

Register online, email or telephone 0141 331 8482. 

Download a copy of the event poster.

KIT-OUT the Park's client's, Top Sandwich, have become the the first and only convenience food production unit to have received the Healthy Living Award.

The Food Sciences Department at Glasgow Caledonian University recently undertook food testing analysis of various Top Sandwich products through the KIT-OUT the Park project.

The Exhibition

This year’s event will be a showcase for some of the companies who have been working on collaborative projects with Glasgow Caledonian University during the past year including:

- Hotels,  retailers and activity providers taking part in an innovative IT projects

- Accommodation providers given advice on the best use of green technologies

- Food companies whose products have been tested in our food laboratories

Whatever aspect of tourism you are involved in, if you have a project idea or would like to explore how new technology could assist your business, come along and “meet the experts”:

- The Department of Food Science will be providing information and advice on food

  safety, shelf life testing, food labeling & nutritional analysis

- The Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing (MUCOM) team will be demonstrating its

  MiniGIST tourist information technology, currently being piloted in Callander

- Caledonian Creates will demonstrate its product design and prototyping capabilities

- The RICH Centre and the The School of Built and Natural Environment will be on hand to   

  provide expert advice on sustainable, environmentally friendly building design and 

  how to use renewable technologies to make your business “greener” and more  

  profitable.

Registration

It is free to attend for registered participants and lunch will be provided. To register please complete our online registration form, email or call 0141 331 8458/8482.

A free bus shuttle will operate between Balloch station and Luss at certain times during the day for those wishing to be kind to the environment by travelling by public transport.

Download a copy of the event schedule here.

IIf your business is involved in food production or processing and/or provides meals and snacks to tourists and visitors to Scotland, then you will be aware of the changing demands being made on you by your customers.

Catering for vegetarians, vegans, people with food allergies, wheat intolerances or simply providing a healthier alternative to people who have raised cholesterol levels or diabetes concerns is no longer a matter only for specialist outlets.

Consumers want and expect their dietary needs to be met – even when on holiday, so if you cannot meet these demands now and in the future, then this business will pass you by. Given how competitive the market is nowadays this is trade you cannot afford to miss.

- However, how can you spot what the next trend is going to be?

- What will visitors to Scotland expect from the food served to them?

- How can you turn your menu into a way of increasing your turnover and getting  both repeat and increased future business?

It is to help you answer some of these questions that KIT-OUT the Park in collaboration with the Food Processing KTN, is running the “Futures for Food Tourism” workshop.

This session will bring together businesses from all parts of the food/tourism supply chain to explore what needs to be done to meet the changing consumer demands from both home based tourists and foreign visitors to Scotland’s most scenic areas. There will also be input from leading academics in food and nutrition and advice will be on hand from business development advisers. Jim Mullen of Larder Bites will be our keynote speaker to give his experiences of the benefits of developing effective local food networks.

This is a superb opportunity to come along, meet other key players in the sector, express your views on what needs to be done and develop an action plan that can have a major effect on the competitiveness of your business both now and in the years ahead.

How to Register

You can register online, email us or telephone 0141 331 8482/8458. Download a copy of the agenda and the event poster.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

As higher commodity prices become "the new normal" rather than a temporary peak, we may see a greater impact on consumer behaviour and retailer and supplier strategies than has been apparent so far, according to a new report, entitled Food and Beverage 2012 – a taste of things to come, from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

Cookroom Ltd  from Kinlochard is celebrating after winning a prestigious Great Taste Award.  Cookroom has been presented with a much-desired one star Gold Great Taste Award for its Madelines.

The Great Taste Awards, which is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and often referred to as the Oscars of the food industry, is this year celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Cookroom began trading in January 2008 providing a range of wheat and gluten free home baking products. A client base has been established supplying to coffee shops and tearooms, farmers markets and direct to individuals. For further details please see www.cookroom.co.uk. The business has now expanded to offer catering for events and functions where wheat and gluten free products are a speciality.

Morag Philips, Proprietor and cook at Cookroom Ltd, said: “We are thrilled with this award so quickly after setting up this new venture. Winning a Great Taste Award recognizes the skill, hard word and dedication that goes into making our wheat and gluten free range. The delight on customers faces when they see and taste our wide range of products has been hugely rewarding. Not only that they come back and buy more, not just for them but for all the family”. Morag added “Obviously you don’t need to be on a wheat and gluten free diet to enjoy our products!”

Pure Lochside, a client of Kit-Out the Park, enjoyed a high profile at last month’s Scottish Open Golf Championships. The company, which supplies a range of cosmetic products made from organic ingredients, was asked to by Loch Lomond Golf Club to create an exclusive massage oil for its Spa which could also be retailed to guests.

The resulting product, which contained a blend of therapeutic essential oils to ease aches and pains, revive and rejuvenate, was produced in 30ml bottles and presented to the players’ wives on the Open Ladies Day. They proved a huge success, and Pure Lochside is now looking forward to working on future projects with Loch Lomond Golf Club.

The full range of products will be demonstrated at the Kit-Out the Park Technology Showcase in October.

Further information can be found on www.purelochside.com

In Callander, this summer, it will be easy to find out what’s on and where the best deals in town are – simply switch on your mobile phone's  Bluetooth facility and regularly-updated information from the town's businesses and attractions will tell you what's happening and, using full colour maps, show you where.

It's a unique, innovative and easy to use system developed by the Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing (MUCom) Research Group at Glasgow Caledonian University. The system is called Mini-GIST (Miniaturised Geographical Information System for Tourism) and it turns each visitor's mobile phone into a fount of local knowledge.  MiniGIST was adapted for Callander Enterprise, a local group of enterprising businesses in the town. The pilot project was officially launched on 29th May in Callander by Fergus Wood, Provost of Stirling and Frank Park, Chairman of Callander Enterprise

Derek Gallaher, manager of  Glasgow Caledonian University's KIT-Out the Park Project, which is supporting the pilot scheme, said it was tremendously exciting development, "Mini-GIST gives local businesses in Callander not only a chance to advertise themselves for free, but its adaptability means they can update offers and events as they happen. For tourists, the maps and information just open up the community for them in a completely new, intuitive and exciting way."

Frank Park, Chairman of  Callander Enterprise said, "We're really excited. This system can instantly transmit tourist data to people's mobile phones via Bluetooth, from local access points throughout the town. The information will feature businesses and attractions that a tourist will find interesting, and can be filtered via special maps rather than a boring list of numbers. We can't wait to get the project active for this summer."