| Dynamic network |
Since its foundation in September 2000, the Upper Austrian Food Cluster (LC OÖ) has, together with the Automotive, Drive Technology, Plastics, Furniture and Wood, Eco-energy, Health and Mechatronics Clusters, occupied a central position in the “Upper Austria 2000+ Strategic Programme”. The evolution of the LC OÖ network has been extremely dynamic since the formation of the cluster, providing impressive evidence of the innovative energy and technological orientation of the food industry.
Special mention should be made of the close co-operation within the LC OÖ network between the farming industry and commerce. Over 1.000 farmers are involved in LC OÖ projects, their contributions guaranteeing the success of these collaborations.
The Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce is the body responsible for the Upper Austrian Food Cluster. All measures within the framework of the Upper Austrian Food Cluster are financed by the Province of Upper Austria, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce and contributions from network partners.
Initial situation
The food industry is a vital element of the Upper Austrian economy in particular. In addition, it is one of the many promising fields of innovation in which topic leadership can be achieved in the long term. Such fields of innovation that are of essence for Upper Austria and on which the Food Cluster focuses its activities include:
- Research of the processing characteristics and possibilities of use for traditional local raw materials
- Research of the processing characteristics and possibilities of use of additives and their effects
- Development of quality and hygiene standards for raw materials and additives, and for packaging materials
- Development and use of innovatory storage, freshness and packaging technologies
- Development of foods with specific benefits for the consumer (convenience food, functional food, organic food)
Overall, competitiveness is impaired by business sizes that are too small for the global market, a lack of co-operation, a failure to use alternative sales channels and the lack of strong brand concepts.
In an age of retail concentration, increasing competitive pressure, the need to use cutting-edge technologies and increased expectations on the part of consumers, co-operations are an absolute necessity for the mainly small businesses in the food industry.
• Increasing competitiveness and innovatory strength through co-operation
• Strengthening economic power by establishing strategic networks without endangering the partners' autonomy and flexibility
• Intensification of horizontal, vertical and diagonal relationships within the network
• Exchange of specialist knowledge and the generation of new knowledge; increase of food competence through R&D projects
• Image work for the Upper Austrian food sector and an increase of Upper Austria's attractiveness as a business location
• Strengthening economic power by establishing strategic networks without endangering the partners' autonomy and flexibility
• Intensification of horizontal, vertical and diagonal relationships within the network
• Exchange of specialist knowledge and the generation of new knowledge; increase of food competence through R&D projects
• Image work for the Upper Austrian food sector and an increase of Upper Austria's attractiveness as a business location
The Upper Austrian Food Cluster provides a broad information and communication platform and supports with many different activities:
- Monthly newsletters, quarterly journals, detailed databases
- Frequent company visits & interviews
- Interactive websites
- Company directories
- Business news
- Contact to research facilities
The Upper Austrian Food Cluster supports cooperation projects in many ways and tries to establish contacts to potential partners:
- Establishment of contacts between potential project partners
- Round table meetings involving companies interested in cooperation
- Support during the grant application process
- Special cluster funding instrument
The Upper Austrian Food Cluster acts at events to enhance visibility and presence. Moreover, the advertising and PR activities boost the image of the Upper Austrian food industry.
- Presentations, PR and advertising activities
- Measures to strengthen the branch image
- Support for small food producing companies to find distribution partners (www.genussbox.at)
- Cooperation with the Upper Autrian Tourism and Genussland OÖ (Genussreisen)
Upper Austrian Food Cluster, Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce
Hessenplatz 3,
A-4020 Linz
Tel.: +43 (0)5-90909-3552
Fax: +43 (0)5-90909-3549
E-Mail: lebensmittel-Cluster@wkooe.at
www.lebensmittel-cluster.at
