As a partner of the Feed Design Lab in the Netherlands, BCFTA is pleased to share with you the latest update below. BCFTA continues to run an annual training course at the Feed Design Lab - if you are interested in this training, please email training@bcfta.com and we will be in touch with more information.
Dear partner of Feed Design Lab,
As you are used to, at the beginning of the year we would like to look back on the past year with you, but first a look ahead: 2024 will be a special year for Feed Design Lab: we are celebrating our 10th anniversary! We will pay extra attention to this, culminating in a festive meeting on June 14. The biennial business trip will also take place again on September 16 and 17. Please note these dates in your agenda.
2023 was a successful year for Feed Design Lab, with very well-attended partner events and the highest turnover since the start for both the pilot plant and training courses. This allowed us to absorb the sharply increased personnel costs and energy costs and end the year with a positive financial result. However, for many of our partner companies, 2023 was a tough year with wars on the world stage and an associated uncertain market. Staff shortages also continue to play a role and the situation in agriculture, especially in Western Europe, is very worrying. We are therefore very pleased that the number of partner companies has remained constant, a sign that the added value of Feed Design Lab is seen even in tougher times. A number of companies have unfortunately canceled their partnerships (mostly due to takeovers or economic reasons), but we have welcomed the same number of new companies as partners, see the appendix for a final overview of our partner companies.
The Young Feed Professional conference had the highest number ever with 140 participants and the Young Feed Professional meeting in the autumn was also a success. The annual business meeting and the workshops Energy, Towards 100% circular animal feed and the Challenge Day all had many participants with a lot of substantive knowledge exchange and networking. Lots of different activities are planned for the coming year, of which the 10th anniversary party and the business trip are the highlights, see the appendix for an overview.
- Testing in the pilot plant
Interest in testing continues to grow, and the development that Feed Design Lab is seen by several companies as their "preferred" test location is very positive, a good development for the continuity of the use of the pilot plant. The growth is mainly due to questions from additive manufacturers, pet food and aqua. For the compound feed industry, growth mainly lies in participation in large, joint research projects. The applications for 2024 also show a positive picture.
- Trainings
The trend that started in previous years towards more tailor-made training courses and on-site training for partner companies continues. Last year we organized tailor-made training courses for 13 of our partner companies. We will expand this further in 2024. There is also a growing interest in on-site training, especially operator training. Of course we will continue to offer our training courses and study days with open registration, of which the Introduction to Process Technology in Animal Feed training is most successful. The new training Introduction to pet food production was well attended.
- Increased partner contribution
Your annual contribution as a partner is highly appreciated, this allows us to continue to focus on organizing interesting networking events, knowledge workshops and relevant training courses and allows us to keep our facilities up to date. Your investment as a community partner in all activities and developments of Feed Design Lab has been fixed at €3,000 per year for 5 years, with effect from 2024 this contribution will be increased to €3,250 per year. The Chain Partner Contribution will be increased from €10,000 to €10,500 per year. It may be useful to mention here again that participation in partner events is exclusively reserved for (employees of) partner companies and that partner companies receive a 25% discount on use of the pilot plant and participation in training courses. Our location is also at your disposal for organizing team meetings or customer events.
We hope to be able to offer an inspiring networking program in 2024, we are looking forward to it and are confident! In the appendix you can find out about all planned activities and events. We will inform you further about these events through our newsletters. As you may have already heard, Feed Design Lab will also be looking for a new director as I want to take early retirement at the end of the year. I hope to be able to transfer my tasks to my successor at the end of 2024 after an intensive training period.
The board, management & employees of Feed Design Lab thank you very much for your trust and wish you and your loved ones a healthy, successful and innovative 2024!
With kind regards,
Trudy van Megen-Boekestijn
Director Feed Design Lab
Tel: +31 6 10206812
Email: trudyvanmegen@feeddesignlab.nl
Website: www.feeddesignlab.nl
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