Food for thought

Food and Drink Federation members have cut CO2 emissions by 25%

While not exactly laughing in the face of the recession, the food and soft drinks industry - the UK's largest manufacturing sector - is certainly managing a wry grin. That's because it has proved its resilience by bucking the general trend of declining manufacturing output, reporting a 0.5% increase in June last year compared with the previous 12 months.
Michelle Maynard, Editor, Food & Drink Technology.

Out of interest, the Office for National Statistics results also showed that while food and drink production output increased, the manufacturing sector as a whole decreased by 0.5%. And that's no mean achievement against a backdrop of rising commodity prices.

Equally impressive is the slashing of CO2 emissions (Food and Drink Federation members have reduced emissions by 25% and are on track to meet their target of 35% by 2020), and a reduction in waste and water use.

Increasingly, though, companies are seeking shorter turnaround times for ever-complex product portfolios that can respond to varying market demands, forcing manufacturers to deal with diverse production challenges. Therefore, the continued success of the industry will rely heavily on both science and technology and, of course, the ability to further increase efficiency and maximise productivity - all while considering stringent sustainability guidelines.

Reformulation continues to be a buzz word, too, as manufacturers strive to reduce fat, salt and sugar levels. Yet by doing so, they potentially create both production and logistical problems. So while it's often said that a company is only as good as its employees, the same must surely be true of its equipment and manufacturing processes.

Food and drink producers are in the fortunate position of being able to take advantage of ongoing developments in automation and processing technology. Cost, though, will always be an issue. Therefore, the need for machinery maintenance - and the role intelligent diagnostics has to play in this - must never be under-estimated. After all, fully functioning and properly maintained equipment is vital in order to avoid failures that can lead to expensive downtime, and loss of both productivity and efficiency.

If the sector is to continue to thrive through 2012 and beyond - and take advantage of the opportunity to supply an increasingly hungry world - innovation and investment in both NPD and manufacturing processes are vital. So, too, are efficient supply chains, low waste and regulatory compliance. Only then can the industry hope to realise the government's ambitious vision for 20% growth in food and drink manufacture by 2020.

Food for thought indeed.