Connected Innovation: General Mills Brings Outside Expertise In
General Mills Corporation (www.generalmills.com) knows a thing or two about baked goods. So, a delicious, nutritious brownie would seem to fall right into the company’s wheelhouse. But that wasn’t exactly the case. As it turns out, there’s a big difference between producing world-renowned flour, baking mixes and pre-made refrigerated dough, and producing a shelf-stable, ready-to-eat baked good.
This was the challenge faced by General Mills’ Snacks division when it wanted to add a tasty, wholesome brownie to its Fiber One product line. While the Fiber One team created the idea and concept, and the R&D department had the expertise to make the perfect dough, they didn’t have the existing internal expertise and baking manufacturing capabilities to actually bake it.
The General Mills team began seeking an outside partner with the technical know-how and capacity to scale the Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies to production.
Through networking with outside partners, the company learned that Hearthside Food Solutions had the baking experience and pilot plant facilities needed to perfect the baking process to full scale. The company also had multiple locations with the right equipment. These factors contributed to a smooth startup, while maximizing efficiency in terms of time and investment.
By collaborating with Hearthside, General Mills’ Snacks division estimates it saved nine to 12 months in terms of taking the product from concept to launch.
Introduced in June of this year, Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies are now available in Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Peanut Butter varieties. Each brownie contains 5 grams of fiber, offering a wholesome option to traditional sweet snacks.
FAST FACTS
Sweet Success
With the help of an open innovation partner, General Mills saved time and reduced risk in developing Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies.
Networking Counts
General Mills leverages the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN) to actively seek partners outside the company who can help deliver new levels of taste, health and convenience in its products.
Words of Wisdom
“From concept to launch, our partnership with Hearthside to develop Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies proved to be win-win for both parties, which is exactly what open innovation is all about.” - Jeff Resch, Senior Scientist, General Mills’ Snacks Division
Creating Buzz
Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies have proven popular in terms of consumer buzz, fueled in part by a “Magic Brownie Adventure” viral video featuring Cheech & Chong.
This was the challenge faced by General Mills’ Snacks division when it wanted to add a tasty, wholesome brownie to its Fiber One product line. While the Fiber One team created the idea and concept, and the R&D department had the expertise to make the perfect dough, they didn’t have the existing internal expertise and baking manufacturing capabilities to actually bake it.
The General Mills team began seeking an outside partner with the technical know-how and capacity to scale the Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies to production.
Through networking with outside partners, the company learned that Hearthside Food Solutions had the baking experience and pilot plant facilities needed to perfect the baking process to full scale. The company also had multiple locations with the right equipment. These factors contributed to a smooth startup, while maximizing efficiency in terms of time and investment.
By collaborating with Hearthside, General Mills’ Snacks division estimates it saved nine to 12 months in terms of taking the product from concept to launch.
Introduced in June of this year, Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies are now available in Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Peanut Butter varieties. Each brownie contains 5 grams of fiber, offering a wholesome option to traditional sweet snacks.
FAST FACTS
Sweet Success
With the help of an open innovation partner, General Mills saved time and reduced risk in developing Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies.
Networking Counts
General Mills leverages the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN) to actively seek partners outside the company who can help deliver new levels of taste, health and convenience in its products.
Words of Wisdom
“From concept to launch, our partnership with Hearthside to develop Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies proved to be win-win for both parties, which is exactly what open innovation is all about.” - Jeff Resch, Senior Scientist, General Mills’ Snacks Division
Creating Buzz
Fiber One 90-Calorie Brownies have proven popular in terms of consumer buzz, fueled in part by a “Magic Brownie Adventure” viral video featuring Cheech & Chong.