Research and Development. Our research and development efforts are focused on three areas: (i) vending machine technologies, customisation and refurbishment, (ii) product innovation, and (iii) customers and consumers. In the area of vending machine technologies, customisation and refurbishment, we focus on developing new POS payment systems involving digital and credit card payments, research into new methods of monitoring product stock and machine status and refurbishment techniques to extend the useful life of our vending machines. Our efforts also include improvement of datalinks with our central network to accurately transmit sales information and maintenance issues so that such information can be utilised. In the area of product innovation, we work with our food and beverage suppliers to design or modify their packaging with a view to maintaining an appropriate temperature, preserving taste and flavour and catching the consumer’s eye. In the area of customers and consumers, we analyse and interpret data we receive from our vending machines to determine the right product offering for diverse demographics and locations. We also solicit regular feedback from our customers in an effort to continually improve our products and services. Our research and development is concentrated at our headquarters in Seriate, Italy.
Research and Development. The Group is focused on developing transmission systems with a view to increasing productivity, efficiency and environmental sustainability. On average for the last five years, the Group has non-capitalised costs for R&D activities equal to approximately 2-2.5 per cent. of its revenues every year. A significant part of the Group’s R&D function is focused in developing new products complying with changing regulation (see “Regulation” below) and maintaining efficiency in production processes to manage costs. Since 2015, all R&D activities (including testing) related to the Carraro Drive Tech Business and the Carraro Agritalia Business are carried out by the Guarantor, which also houses the Group’s strategic marketing and prototypes division. The Guarantor also coordinates Carraro Technology India and R&D centres in Haedo (Argentina) and Qingdao (China). As such, the R&D activities for Carraro Drive Tech Business are carried out outside of this business area and recorded as services provided by the Guarantor, whereas the Carraro Agritalia Business R&D activities are within the Carraro Agritalia Business area as Carraro Agritalia Business is a division of the Guarantor. The Group’s policy is to patent the output of its R&D activities, where possible. Xxxxxxx has applied for and obtained a list of patents addressing crucial technology aspects for its products, such as: • Power Shift Dual Clutch and Continuous Variable Transmissions for Agricultural Machines (Lay-out and Control); • Hydrostatic Transmissions for Construction Equipment Machines (Lay-out and Control); • Steering System for Off-Highway Axles; • Braking System for Off-Highway Axles; and • Suspension System for Off-Highway Machines. In the developed markets, new machines are bought to replace the existing ones based on demonstrable advantages in productivity together with lower energy consumption. In those markets it is also mandatory to comply with stringent regulations for emissions and machine safety, which require significant investments starting from the development phase. For developing markets the requirements are instead still mostly driven by robustness and accessible first purchase cost. The Group has developed new product solutions in line with different market demands, spanning from simple mechanical transmissions with manual control, to more complex ones, powershift and power shuttle or continuous variable transmissions fully electronically controlled. Further efforts have been spent by ...
Research and Development. The Group is particularly involved in research and development ("R&D") at its Ozzano Taro plant. Ozzano Taro has a research and quality control center and personnel with specific skills and specialized knowledge in food safety and risk management. This is the Group’s headquarters for R&D activities as its Baby Food and Special Food expert team and technologies are based there. The higher quality and nutritional standards that the Group has developed has allowed it to develop synergies across its businesses. The R&D activities focus on product quality, which includes food safety for infants and children. Food safety regulations require appropriately addressing the threats of contaminants. The R&D activities focus in particular on: (i) quality assessment of raw materials and suppliers; (ii) risk assessment and analysis of the regulatory framework, (iii) development of recipes, production process, shelf-life protocols, (iv) off-line preliminary tests, (v) testing of production facilities; (vi) analyses on product samples to verify organoleptic, nutritional, microbiological and chemical characteristics; (vii) analyses and assessment of product shelf life, (ix) product validation, (x) labelling, (xi) product graphics, (xii) large-scale industrial experimentation and (xiii) final quality control of packaging materials.