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SUMMARY:Optimising fresh produce quality monitoring and analysis - Richard
  Boyle\, MM Flowers Ltd
DTSTART:20180220T130000Z
DTEND:20180220T140000Z
UID:TALK100798@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Vivien Gruar
DESCRIPTION:MM Flowers is the UK’s leading\, integrated cut flower growe
 r\, importer and distributer\, producing bouquets for the leading UK high-
 street retailers. MM has key growing bases across the world\, and therefor
 e imports a large number of species and cultivars of cut flowers. Cut flow
 ers are subject to a wide range of environmental conditions within the sup
 ply chain\, from local growers to those shipped from Kenya and Colombia. T
 emperature and time are two key factors in optimising quality of the post-
 harvest life\, and the huge variation in cut flower species makes this par
 ticularly challenging to deliver a quality product for the end consumer. \
 n\nMM receives on average 600\,000 stems of cut flowers daily\, which incr
 eases dramatically during periods such as Valentine’s and Mother’s Day
 . To ensure the quality of product is delivered\, a dedicated quality cont
 rol team undertake daily inspections of the raw materials received\, and i
 n turn have generated a vast array of data over the last 10 years. The dat
 a recorded includes flower quality assessments\, grower information and va
 se performance data. This data has been used historically to help identify
  the source of quality challenges originating from growing or the onward s
 upply chain.\n\nTo further improve the operational processes from farm to 
 store\, this data\, including the methodology behind current sampling prot
 ocols\, needs to be reviewed and analysed in greater detail to develop too
 ls and techniques that can optimise MM practices. It is important to asses
 s how current processes can be adapted and improved into daily quality ins
 pection routines based on mathematical modelling\, including validation of
  any models developed. Further to this\, the student can expect to gain va
 luable experience working within a fast-paced business in the fresh produc
 e sector. This includes liaising with different departments\, project mana
 gement\, communication skills\, and working towards the needs of the busin
 ess.\n
LOCATION:MR3 Centre for Mathematical Sciences
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