Sensory Firm Hires Boost Insight and Innovation

German fragrances and flavours manufacturer Symrise has appointed Michael Kocher to the newly created position of SVP Innovation Scent & Care, and Massimo Cealti as Vice President Consumer & Market Intelligence.

In his new role, Kocher will take charge of integrating the firm's research, marketing and consumer/market research functions with the firm's focus on creativity and product innovation. His new responsibilities will encompass fragrance and cosmetics research, global marketing and the consumer and market intelligence group. Most recently Kocher worked for competitor Firmenich, prior to which he held senior positions with the Max-Planck-Institut and consumer goods manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser.

Cealti, who previously worked for McDonald's, Nestlé and Coca Cola, has more than 20 years of experience in market research and consumer insight. He joins the firm on 1 May.

'We have embarked on a mission to drive creativity and innovation as the single most important thing we do every day. This new organisation is the consequent next milestone on our declared course of becoming the innovation leader of our industry,' stated Achim Daub, Global President Scent & Care.

Symrise is not alone in its bid to lead the market through product innovation. American competitor International Flavors and Fragrances recently promoted Judith Gross to the newly created position of Global Director of Fragrance Innovation (www.mrweb.com/movers/app229.htm ).

Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, Symrise has a total of more than 31 sites in Europe, Asia, the US and South America, and is online at www.symrise.com .

Last autumn, the firm opened a Sensory and Consumer Science Centre in Singapore, which includes rooms for focus groups, panel-training rooms and individual sensory-test booths.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.