The evolution of regional triple helix food sector SME interventions: a longitudinal study, Wales, UK

Figures & data

Figure 1. Transfer of knowledge in a triple-helix partnership between government, university, and industry.

Table 1. Welsh government policy driven food sector intervention framework 2007 – 2020.

Figure 2. Conceptual framework.

Figure 3. KITE affiliate knowledge transfer flow and FDMP intervention options.

Table 2. KITE project outputs, outcomes and KPIs.

KITE Outputs and Outcomes
SME Partners	43
Intervention Programmes	97
Increased Sales	£103m
New Jobs Created	692
Jobs Safeguarded	1,197
Reduced Waste	£1.3m
New Products Developed	1,462
New Products Launched	>500
Leading Retailers	16
KPIs Detailed
BRCGS Certifications	48
SALSA Certifications	21
Other Retail Certifications	20

Table 3. KITE SME partner testimonials.

‘Excellent overall, definitely, we couldn't have achieved what we have in the short period of time. It's having that backup of the KITE programme when you need help about the level, which is basically that overseeing level, internal audit, what's being done how we going to achieve it looking longer term it's having that that is what's fantastic about it.’

‘We have grown during the period of time (delivery intervention), the whole link of us getting BRC and having the help from KITE enabled us to serve those bigger companies which has increased our turnover by 20–25%.’

‘Being a small company the amount of work on the technical side (to maintain the BRC standard bracket), we just couldn't do it. We are not big enough to employ technical people ourselves and for one of us to do that it would be just beyond our scope. First, obtaining their technical knowledge, it will be difficult. We were absolutely desperate for it. For us to grow it's so important that we have the BRC, otherwise the business would be going backwards.’

‘Our turnover when we joined KITE was just under £6 million. This year, we have achieved between £7.2 and £7.5 million. Staff members have increased by 5 or 6 during the period with KITE. We are progressing as a company. If we didn't have BRC our employment numbers would drop significantly I can't say how vital it is for us too.’

‘We needed to start somewhere; the KITE programme was ideal actually – all of the knowledge available in the programme will make life a lot easier (meaning gaining food quality certification).’

‘The extensive technical resources provided from the KITE support and facilities improve the capabilities of the company, in a very affordable way of gaining technical support.’

‘The company is balanced, streamlined and better aligned, giving us more confidence in how we operate. Our business can compete on quality with some of our biggest national competitors.’

‘Practise a flexible programme which allows access to knowledge and expertise from the university as well as a chance for networking with other companies and individuals, that may not be possible in normal day-to-day work.’

Table 4. FIRRP outputs and outcomes.

SME Partners	47
Intervention Programmes	123
Increased Sales	£8m
BRCGS 7 Interventions	24
SALSA Interventions	10
Other Retail Certifications	3

Table 5. Project HELIX SME partner testimonials.

‘The technical support programme provided through the HELIX project has been instrumental in developing the workforce with regards to food hygiene training and internal audits of the technical system to ensure we comply with customer requirements and the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. It has also been a great support in helping to change the culture of the production and packing operatives with regards to good manufacturing practices with the knowledge gained through the training programme.’

‘ZERO2FIVE has been the backbone of …  …  …  …  … .’s technical development since 2011. Without their support, the business would have taken so much longer to fulfil the demands of becoming a second-tier supplier to multiple retailers and blue-chip businesses. Their impartial advice, collaborative staff development and the depth of support available, has allowed …  …  …  … to do what it does best with confidence and security.’

‘The efficient completion of our work with ZERO2FIVE was critical to the business being able to export ten products to the USA. Without the support, knowledge and expertise of the ZERO2FIVE Technical Team, we would not have been able to comply with the new Foreign Supplier Verification Program’s requirements.’

‘The excellent support of ZERO2FIVE in delivering the two Project HELIX partnership programmes has helped us successfully maintain our BRC Storage and Distribution certification which is essential for our business to achieve continued growth.’

Table 6. Project HELIX outputs, outcomes and KPIs.

Increased Sales	£96.5 m
Enterprise Assisted	121
New Jobs Created	214
Training Days with;	150
Participants	234
New Markets Accessed	129
Activities Achieved	18
Most Frequent Activities
Quality Systems Development	89
Provision of Technical Information	85
Training/Mentoring and Skills	42
Validation of Systems	42
KPIs Detailed
New Products Created	305
Food Sector Jobs Safeguarded	1,120
New Businesses Supported	92

Figure 4. FDMP SME knowledge transfer intervention benefit cycle.

Figure 5. Cumulative interventions between 2008–2020.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.