To this end, Hilcona has created an open, communicative atmosphere with a start-up feel in the iBox. The placement of the teams in shared offices, sound-absorbing carpets and glass doors are just as much a part of the transparent concept as the "ixChange rooms" for small group discussions or the "iEat" coffee kitchen as a meeting point.
Bundled expertise in the new iBox
17.09.2020
Since last October, Hilcona has been setting the course for the culinary future at its new competence center in Schaan. iBox is the name of the innovation hub, where six teams from product development, technology and packaging management work closely together. Their common goal: to create exciting new products for the various product categories.
A low-rise building with a small herb garden in front of the entrance is the new home of around 45 so-called "iPeople". This is where Hilcona has brought together the Meals, Pasta, Vegi and Shelf-stable Convenience and Sandwiches & Pizza competence centers. Technology and packaging management and the project management of the two new manufacturing brands "The Green Mountain" and "La Pasteria" are also part of the team.
Formerly housed in three buildings on the Hilcona site in Schaan, these teams are now pooling their work and expertise in one place: the iBox. The "i" in the name stands for innovation. And in the multifunctional workshop, this is not only a top priority when it comes to developing new products, but also in the way we work.
The "iPeople" have drawn up rules for considerate cooperation to ensure that working together works well. "The new concept has already proved its worth for us," reports Dirk Sylvester, Head of Competence Center Meals. "The confined space automatically leads to close collaboration, so we benefit more than ever from the expertise and knowledge of our colleagues."
In this inspiring environment, pioneering products, such as "The Green Mountain" burger, can be developed from the idea to market maturity. Authenticity, enjoyment, variety, quality and sustainability are just some of the factors that drive the gourmet experts.
The coronavirus crisis has shown that the spirit of the iBox is not only felt when everyone is on site: "During the time when many employees were working from home, we had very good experiences with alternative communication methods such as Webex meetings," says Sarah Klein, Head of Competence Center Sandwich & Pizza. What the iPeople have come up with in close collaboration with the iXperts at iKulinarik will certainly soon be on customers' plates.