Testimonial
The success of BeenBean’s student project
Product improvement through student projects? Tom Nassar Codina, founder of BeenBean, tried this out. In February 2023, he commissioned a student project at Wageningen University and Research. WUR students investigated tempeh production and provided suggestions for improvement. By implementing some of these suggestions. Partly because of these suggestions, the shelf life of the product is extended.
We were positively surprised by the length of the final report and the amount of good tips and recommendations found in it.
For some time, BeenBean has been producing delicious tempeh that is sold locally in Wageningen and its surroundings. However, what Tom Nassar Codina encountered was the shelf life of the fresh tempeh. He asked the students how BeenBean could ensure that the product stayed good for a longer period, allowing the customers to enjoy the product even longer.
Tom’s questions was presented in the course “Case Studies for Product Quality”. A group of students immersed themselves fully in the subject for 4 weeks. Through literature research and conduction various tests, they compiled an impressive list of suggestions for their clients. They even prioritized these suggestions, which was ideal for Tom and his colleagues.
The students were very efficient in identifying some issues that we had been struggling with for quite some time.
Tom reviewed the student’s results and implement improvements in tempeh production. The soaking time for the beans is now adjusted. As a result, the tempeh has a longer shelf life and can be stored for a longer period.
Although Tom didn’t interact much with the students during the project, he is very pleased with the final results. “The students were very efficient in identifying some issues that we had been struggling with for quite some time. So much so that we almost immediately began setting up two more ACT projects, now that we knew what a group of student could achieve,” Tom said. Next time, he would like to have more contact with the students to achieve even more.