Making products perfect

TOTALsense is MMR's suite of sensory tools.

20 years of sensory science and 20 years of commercial application gives MMR leadership in this area of consumer research, and distinguishes clearly from many competitors.

Our service comprises:

• Sensory Science Centre [+] Much of MMR's work is powered by our Sensory Science Centre, a collaboration with University of Reading. SSC provides high quality sensory evaluation data for MMR's blue-chip food, drink and healthcare clients and the University's research and teaching programmes. The Centre uses a panel of professional sensory assessors, all recruited from the local community, who have been trained to evaluate the taste qualities of a wide range of products, and it is fitted with the latest computerised data capture software from Compusense Inc. Sensory evaluation is an essential tool for optimising consumer acceptance of food products. It is also vital in gaining understanding of how we perceive flavour, taste and texture in food.
• SensoHedonic Optimisation, one of MMR's flagship research services [+] One of MMR's most powerful research options is SensoHedonic Optimisation This uses a combination of consumer research to tell us what people like and dislike and expert sensory profiles, which, when combined with the consumer data, can be used to infer the drivers of liking and disliking. Additionally, we segment the data using proprietary and advanced statistical software tools, and then build mathematical models to give detailed, specific recommendations for formulation changes, with the ability to predict the change in liking by segment and at total sample level. These models can last for several years and be used to guide fast-track optimisation programmes bypassing the need for a fresh cycle of consumer testing with every new prototype. Lots of our clients make use of this technique on a regular basis as they appreciate its unrivalled ability to help them optimise products.
• Sensory consultancy [+] Over the years, we have also provided consultancy to help many clients to set up their own sensory research protocols building their own consumer taste panels, advising how best to build an employee panel, even setting up quality systems on production lines for checking at the earliest opportunity whether products have remained within recommended sensory specifications.
• Brandphonics [+] Most recently our sensory experience has enabled MMR to develop Brandphonics. This takes research to a new level incorporating all our sensory and consumer research experience, and underpins this with a new and concise understanding of how and why consumers choose what they buy.

Our team of sensory scientists and researchers combines academic and commercial experience in a unique way to help clients make the right decisions.