Borne, The Netherlands, 18^th May 2009 — Zwanenberg Food Group recently opened a factory where three young people are in charge; a production company where a new technology known as HPP (High Pressure Processing) is also to be applied industrially for the first time.

The factory which formerly housed Gebr. De Leeuw had been empty for some time and was very suitable as a ‘think tank’ in which an actual production process was also possible; a factory for designing new food concepts. And so the young talents Thea Dekker (25), Tom van der Laan (31) and Wendy Pasop (25) were given the opportunity to set up their ‘own’ factory. Their tasks are clearly defined. Wendy Pasop is responsible for product and concept management, marketing and communication, Thea Dekker concentrates on product development, technology and quality management, while Tom van der Laan applies himself to production, finance, personnel and general management.

“Two issues are particularly important to Skunq”, explains Tom van der Laan. “Firstly, that we constantly devise creative, new food concepts, which we then ourselves take into production and market. The second concerns co-creation. That means that we devise and realise concepts in consultation with our clients. A good recent example of co-creation is Villmeau, a spread which can be used both warm and cold. This product was developed together with a caterer, and is being produced and sold by now. If a product proves successful and we can no longer cope with the volume, it can always be produced at another of the Zwanenberg factories. On the other hand, we’re glad to be able to rely on the great expertise available to us via the factories and departments of Zwanenberg.”

Another example of an innovative solution is a project undertaken with a holiday park operator. Wendy Pasop: “They were having problems finding a healthy, sensible kids’ food concept, which was fun for children and in keeping with their conceptual approach. We came up with a solution in the shape of a kind of ‘puzzle’, which comprises meat, vegetable and carbohydrate components. We’re currently working on the details together with this client.”

CEO Ronald Lotgerink concludes: “It may sound a bit like a trial playground for young professionals, but nothing could be further from the truth. Skunq needs to produce and market products, and be profitable by early 2011 at the latest.”

For more information, please contact:

Wendy Pasop, e-mail w.pasop@zwanenberg.nl, telephone +31 6 46 087 215.