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Diamond Foods opens new innovation centre

Strengthening what it says is its commitment to product innovation and market leadership, Diamond Foods has officially opened the doors to its new 7,000+ square foot innovation centre in Salem, Oregon. Adjacent to the Kettle Brand potato chip facility, the innovation centre will drive new product offerings for Diamond’s entire family of brands, including Kettle Brand, Pop […]

Strengthening what it says is its commitment to product innovation and market leadership, Diamond Foods has officially opened the doors to its new 7,000+ square foot innovation centre in Salem, Oregon. Adjacent to the Kettle Brand potato chip facility, the innovation centre will drive new product offerings for Diamond’s entire family of brands, including Kettle Brand, Pop Secret, Emerald Nuts and Diamond of California.

The new centre features an R&D kitchen and lab that allows for production of product samples and simulates preparation processes, as well as a concept room designed for ideation and customer meetings and a sensory evaluation centre for real-time product testing with consumers. Already the team is said to be finalising products that will soon be in the marketplace, on the heels of recent launches that include Kettle Brand Pepperoncini and Dill Pickle flavoured potato chips, and Emerald Raspberry Glazed almonds.

Diamond’s team of innovation specialists were, it says, carefully selected with the goal of creating a true product design house, including not only food scientists and sensory specialists, but also marketing, packaging and regulatory experts who develop product ideas through the lens of all the disciplines. This early stage collaboration is designed to enable the team to carefully develop products that meet consumers’ needs while also facilitating speed to market. The cross-functional team supports innovation across Diamond’s entire family of snack and nut brands.

“We are not just putting a stake in the ground, but an entire foundation and infrastructure committed to innovation and market leadership, as well as an experienced forward-thinking team to take advantage of it,” said Brian Driscoll, Diamond Foods president and CEO. “Several retail customers have already visited the innovation center for joint collaboration meetings and recognize the potential for new product development this facility and the team affords.”