Conference on Energy
in the Netherlands
rSê
Food Vision 2008:
Who is Winning
Customer's Hearts?
EVENTS
On 6 February 2008, Rabobank held a conference in Groningen
entitled 'Acceleration or Energy Bubble, Entrepreneurship in
the Northern region of The Netherlands'. Approximately 300
corporate clients, mostly from the northern region, were invited
to the event where they were informed about the different
developments in the energy market and sustainability.
On 71 March 2008, Rabobank and
the EFMI Business School presented
the second 'Food Vision'congress.
Thisyear's theme was food service:
more and more people are having
their meals outdoors and they ex-
pect healthy, good quality food and
diversity. What are the trends here
and who are the best companies
to provide this serviceRabobank
presented a future scenario together
with key players Marks Spencer,
Sara Lee and Dutch retailer FiEMA.
Bert Heemskerk, Chairman
of the Rabobank Executive Board.
Bert Heemskerk, Chairman of the
Rabobank Executive Board, opened the
conference and showed just how great
Rabobank's knowledge is regarding
the energy market. He also pointed out
Rabobank's commitment to sustainable
energy consumption in all of its activities.
Different subjects were discussed such
as biomass fermenting and waste puri-
fication, the role of the Dutch govern-
ment when looking at incentives policy
and energy portfolio management.
Discussions with speakers and attendees
followed on subjects including energy
transition.
The fact that nuclear energy will be a
viable solution in response to the grow-
ing demand for energy is indisputable
according to speaker Lopes Cardozo,
professor at the Tech University in
Eindhoven. He showed the visitors how
this would be possible, also touching
on challenges like costs and safety. The
main point he wanted to make was the
necessity to start research into nuclear
fusion as quickly as possible as this will
be one of the main solutions to stop
the growth of C02 whilst generating
enough energy to meet the growing
demand.
Around 300 clients and prospective clients were
present at this congress. Various speakers from
industry, retail and foodservices presented faas,
analyses and trends in the market place. Sipko
Schat, Vice Chairman of the MBRI, opened the
congress. According to him the changing needs
of consumers will be the main motivating force
behind growth in the seaor. Another important
effea is the changing social landscape. Sipko ex-
plained that between now and 2020 the number
of people living alone will rise by more than
500,000. Their busy schedule does not leave time
to prepare and consume dinner at home. They
will eat out most of the time. Every day between
3.5 and 4 billion people eat at least one meal out-
side of the home. This is a development which
will only continue to increase. From an economie
point of view the question now is who can best
deliver food services to these people?
This point of view is supported in a report from
the EFMI Business School called 'Quo vadis?!
Foodservice 2008 - 2020'. In this report, which
was written together with Rabobank and the
Food Service Institute in The Netherlands, it is
stated that the 2007 turnover for the food service
industry is about 19 billion euros and that this
number will further increase. Jan Willem Grievink,
senior lecturer at EFMI Business School, stated
that within 10 years the turnover for the food
service market will be more than 30 billion euros.
"People will eat more and more meals outside
of their homes and it will become increasingly
important to provide them with targeted for-
mulas. Another trend is that different food service
companies are entering the low price seaor."
All those companies attending see opportunity
for growth. According to HEMA manager for
the Food Catering Industry, Rob Heesen, HEMA
concentrates very closely on the customer when
looking at retail and catering. HEMA focuses on
modernisation and expansion and is going to
start with independent restaurants and take-
aways.
Simon Lushey from Marks Spencer explains how
they compete within the food service market.
According to him, hospitality is the main focus
point. "Eating outside is creating a business."
NickSnow, Senior Vice President for Sara Lee In
ternational Food Service, also sees clear growth in
his sector. However he believes "you should have
a clear focus and not get stuck in the middle."
Rabobank relationship managers DannyVroegop
and Gwenne Windhorst explain the aim of the
congress. "With this congress we clearly want
to show our added value to the food service
industry. Now that the consumer trends in this
industry are clear, we can support our clients in
providing the best possible service. The positive
feedback from visitors is a great inspiration for us
to pro-aaively approach the food industry. It is a
very good networking event, with good speakers.
That will ultimately lead to good ideas."
ISSUE 16
THE WORD
