Hull鈥檚 tech incubation hub has partnered with chocolate giant Nestle to launch a logistics innovation programme.
C4DI will work with the huge manufacturer behind KitKat, Yorkie, Quality Street and scores of other household names as together with GXO it brings forward its Digital Distribution Operation of the Future facility in the East Midlands.
Companies that can help with some of the logistics and supply chain challenges are being sought, building on work from the likes of Sauce in early 2020.
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In turn, through business support and access to global markets, C4DI will help them build robust and scalable operations.
Linsey Brown, C4DI projects and communications manager, said: 鈥淲e could not be more excited about this partnership. It brings an amazing opportunity for growing technology businesses to accelerate by connecting to, and learning from both the leading food and beverage business in the world and one of the world鈥檚 largest logistics companies.
鈥淲e鈥檙e calling out for partners to join this logistics incubation programme which will bring together technology businesses focusing on logistics and supply chain.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be sharing our knowledge and expertise to work through solutions and innovations for the challenges companies are facing in the industry, while at the same time helping small businesses to develop and grow.鈥
As reported C4DI-based Sauce enhanced operational efficiency for what is one of the world鈥檚 biggest food and beverage companies, developing an app-based yard management system to track trailers.
David Walker, logistics innovation programme manager at Nestl茅, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e been working with C4DI for a few years and have already partnered with a number of fantastic small businesses, of which some have become suppliers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to seeing the outcomes.鈥
The programme starts this month.
Applicants with relevant technology products and services that believe they can help Nestl茅 and the DDOF, or who would like to learn from this innovation-driven partnership, are encouraged to apply.
John Connolly, managing director of C4DI, said: 鈥淲e don鈥檛 do hackathons, we don鈥檛 do pitching competitions, and we鈥檙e not the people who tweak your pitch deck, but we can, from first-hand experience, support you in building scalable global technology business.
鈥淥ur programme can connect you to people and organisations who you can partner and grow with. We鈥檇 love to hear from businesses interested in the programme. There鈥檚 a simple form to complete which will help us understand if we鈥檙e the right fit for each other and start a conversation.鈥
Those interested should visit www.logistics.c4di.ventures for more information.
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