Vision 2020:  Manufacturing innovations that matter the most

With continuing pressures from changeover challenges, the “thinning” of manufacturing and capital equipment budget management, food and beverage companies are constantly seeking innovations to improve performance and profitability, according to PMMI’s 2016 Top to Top Summit report. Some innovation examples expressed by CPG survey participants include a broad range 
of machine applications, new materials, new equipment ideas, lower cost options, expanded technologies in short shelf-life products, product innovation on consumers’ unmet needs, high-speed 3-D printing that can manufacture materials on the production line, lightweight packaging materials, sustainable packaging design, new organizational business models for process improvement, and technology applications for two-pronged supply chain management at global and local levels.  

As part of its ongoing outreach to CPGs professionals, PMMI conducted focus groups with 65 CPG participants last year. Topics included process improvement, workforce development, machine operations, procurement, global demands, equipment trends, sustainability, maintenance, lean manufacturing and more.

In addition, PMMI’s Top to Top Summit held earlier this year provided an opportunity for CPGs and OEMs to discuss not only the focus groups’ findings, but also ways to address critical challenges facing the food industry.

While leveraging the Internet of Things to improve integrated food manufacturing is a key area of interest, participants are focused on operational simplicity and efficiency as the top innovation that matters the most to food and beverage manufacturers. For example, food and beverage manufacturers need OEMS to produce user-friendly processing and packaging lines because processing plants often lack staff with sufficient technical training to operate the machinery. Simpler machinery designs also help processors keep lines running and enhance maintenance operations, according to PMMI’s report.