East Malling Research (EMR) has appointed Lisa Estorffe to the newly created role of commercial sales and marketing manager.
She will be responsible for the development of food and drink sales for EMR as part of its drive to create new income streams to support horticultural research.
Estorffe plans to focus on the development of added-value products based, wherever possible, on crops grown on the East Malling estate. EMR will establish local routes to market for its product portfolio, which will be developed under the branding “Malling Fine Food and Drink”. EMR has been selling single variety apple juice for the last two years, and one of Estorffe’s early targets is to boost sales and distribution of this product.
She has trained as a food technologist and has already worked for several food manufacturers. For the last four years she has run her own consultancy, providing technical assistance and new product innovation for ice cream and confectionery manufacturers.
“There is real potential for EMR to develop a commercial food and retail arm to support its research activities,” said Estorffe. “The demand for locally produced food and drink using traditional methods is the ideal outlet for our fruit and products. We have the R&D skills to produce a range of high quality retail products, and the experience to look at further markets in the food manufacturing industries. Our geographic location and the space available at East Malling will enable us to develop a point of sale that will create revenue and further stimulate interest in our activities.”
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