Mono Equipment has built a new product innovation centre to encourage NPD.

The bakery equipment giant has built the 225sq m space in its Swansea headquarters, where it will look to develop equipment with the latest technologies. Overall investment for the whole project was said to be around £100,000.

The centre will use the latest thermal imaging tools, to figure out innovative ways to increase oven efficiency and prevent heat escaping.

The company has six design engineers who will use the space. Andrew Jones, managing director at Mono, said: “This is a significant investment for Mono - one which overall is within the realms of £100,000. We recognised that NPD was the key to the continued success of the business. Innovative products are part of our strapline, and we feel this new space is exactly the right environment for our engineers to test and innovate.”

The centre was put into use earlier this year, and has already been used to develop a new product, which will be launched at this year’s IBA exhibition in Munich.

It will also allow customers to get involved in the design process, should there be a specific requirement for the machinery.

The business is split into three main categories: ovens, dough processing and depositing. Jones said the initial innovation work would focus on ovens.

Mono supplies both independent craft bakers and major retailers’ in-store bakeries.

*This story has been amended from the original, where the amount of investment was incorrectly stated as £10,000

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