Company Profile: Mattson: Innovation for the Food & Beverage Industry

Background

Founded in 1977, Mattson is a leading independent developer of new food and beverage products for the retail and chain restaurant industries. The company's mission is to "invent the future of food, one product at a time," with a vision of achieving "better living through better food." Over the years, Mattson has collaborated with industry giants such as PepsiCo, General Mills, McDonald's, and Starbucks, as well as emerging brands like popchips, Blue Bottle Coffee, Annie’s, Happy Family, Argo Tea Cafés, and Organic Girl.

Key Strategic Focus

Mattson's strategic focus encompasses:

Insights: Gathering consumer, operator, and professional insights to guide decision-making.

Brand Strategy: Leading workshops to create and position brands for success.

Product Strategy: Identifying intersections of brand equities, company competencies, and consumer needs.

Ideation & Concept Creation: Utilizing AI-enabled tools like ProtoThink™ and Food Studio to develop winning concepts.

Product Design & Development: Creating award-winning products from early design through commercialization.

Ingredient Discovery & Applications: Connecting clients with suitable manufacturers and leading plant trials.

Co-Pack Search & Commercialization: Conducting deep dives into novel ingredients to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Financials and Funding

As of January 2025, Mattson reported annual revenue of $35 million. The company operates as an employee-owned entity, emphasizing nimbleness and efficiency to expedite clients' product market entry.

Pipeline Development

Mattson's pipeline includes collaborations with both established corporations and emerging brands, focusing on:

Plant-Based Foods: Addressing the growing demand for plant-based alternatives.

Functional Foods: Developing products that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Sustainable Products: Creating offerings that emphasize environmental responsibility.

Innovative Packaging: Designing packaging solutions that enhance user experience and sustainability.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Mattson distinguishes itself through proprietary technologies and methodologies:

ProtoThink™ and Food Studio: AI-enabled tools designed for the food and beverage industry, enhancing ideation and concept development.

Consumer Guidance Panels: Techniques that enhance collaboration and consumer insights in new product innovation.

Project Delta: The world's first open-source food product experiment, featured by Malcolm Gladwell in The New Yorker.

Leadership Team

Justin Shimek, Ph.D.: Chief Executive Officer & Chairman. Dr. Shimek holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from UC Davis and has a background in nutritional biochemistry.

Steve Gundrum: Chief AI Officer. With over four decades of expertise, Gundrum has led innovation projects across various categories and developed advanced generative AI tools like Innovation AI and ProtoThink™ AI.

Al Banisch: Executive Vice President, Innovation. Banisch has a diverse background in architecture, finance, and food industry innovation.

Katie Hagan: Chief Innovation Officer. Hagan brings extensive experience in product development and innovation strategies.

Mary Haderlein: Principal, Mattson Chicago. Haderlein leads the Chicago operations, integrating her team's expertise into Mattson's innovation capabilities.

Leadership Changes

In 2024, Mattson expanded its operations by acquiring Hyde Park Group Food Innovation (HPG) in Chicago. Mary Haderlein, founder and Principal of HPG, now serves as Principal of Mattson Chicago, playing a pivotal role in integrating her team's talent into Mattson's innovation capabilities.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The food and beverage innovation sector is characterized by rapid growth, driven by consumer demand for healthier, sustainable, and convenient products. Key trends include the rise of plant-based foods, functional ingredients, and personalized nutrition.

Competitor Analysis

Mattson's primary competitors include:

Hearthside Food Solutions: A food production company specializing in contract manufacturing and packaging services.

Fresh Creative Foods: A company focused on producing a variety of food products.

Mullins Food Products: A manufacturer and supplier of food products, including sauces and dressings.

HB Specialty Foods: A company specializing in dry blended food coating systems and bakery mixes.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Mattson has a history of collaborating with both industry leaders and emerging brands, offering services that span from front-end insights and strategy to full-service R&D, scale-up, and commercialization. The acquisition of Hyde Park Group Food Innovation in 2024 expanded Mattson's capabilities and geographic reach, particularly in the Chicago area.

Operational Insights

Mattson's strategic considerations include:

Market Position: Leveraging its extensive experience and proprietary technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Competitive Advantages: Offering end-to-end innovation services, from concept development to commercialization, supported by AI-enabled tools.

Differentiators: Emphasizing a holistic approach to product development, integrating consumer insights, brand strategy, and technological innovation.