Baron Foodtech brings bakery industry expertise to the Food Pilot Plant at LAB University of Applied Sciences

Baron Foodtech, an expert in bakery business, initiates collaboration with LAB University of Applied Sciences and moves its pilot bakery to the Food Pilot Plant research and development environment at Lahti campus. The establishment of the pilot bakery at the Food Pilot Plant is a significant step for LAB University of Applied Sciences in building food industry business ecosystems.

Baron Foodtech, a design and consulting firm serving the baking industry, has had its own bakery in Nastola since 2018. In this facility, they design new products for clients, conduct recipe development, and scale bakery products for industrial production. Moving to the Food Pilot Plant provides the company with additional capabilities and resources for product development.

"Thanks to the laboratory services at the Food Pilot Plant, new opportunities for development open up for us. We can comprehensively test and examine the properties of products produced in the bakery. For example, we can easily determine how changes in recipes affect the shelf life and quality of products," says Mikko Lehtinen, CEO of Baron Foodtech.

LAB University of Applied Sciences actively seeks new ways to promote sustainable, responsible, and innovative growth for businesses.

"Baron Foodtech's decision to start operating at the Food Pilot Plant is an excellent example of how our close collaboration with companies produces innovative solutions that benefit all parties. We aim to build food industry business ecosystems where LAB's strengths in education and research seamlessly integrate," says Kirsi Taivalantti, Director of the Faculty of Technology at LAB.

Supporting companies in international growth

The Food Pilot Plant, which originated from the needs of the food industry in the Päijät-Häme region, strengthens the entire industry nationwide in research, development and innovation as well as in the development of new business. LAB University of Applied Sciences is also involved in the newly established collaboration platform Food Campus Finland, which aims to double Finland's food exports as per the government's vision.

Taivalantti emphasizes that supporting small and medium-sized enterprises that seek international growth is at the core of LAB's renewed strategy. Currently, over 80 per cent of Baron Foodtech's operations are exports, and the company is involved in projects in various countries such as Cameroon and Qatar.

"There are many opportunities globally to develop different products towards a healthier and more sustainable direction in the bakery industry. Operating in a higher education environment is exciting and gives us valuable benefits," says Lehtinen.

Lehtinen sees opportunities for collaboration with LAB in the field of education as well. In 2025, LAB will start offering a degree programme in Process and Materials Engineering, designed to meet the needs of the food industry. Baron Foodtech intends to provide internship and job opportunities for students, as the company requires knowledgeable workforce to support its growth. Currently, several recent graduates of LAB are employed in the company as engineers and business specialists.