How to combat the workforce crisis

ProFood World has rounded up some creative recruitment and retention strategies to help manufacturers find the skilled talent they need to operate their advanced plants.

Dec 9th, 2019

As the skilled labor pool shrinks and more positions go unfilled, manufacturers are using out-of-the-box recruiting and retention strategies.

As the skilled labor pool shrinks and more positions go unfilled, manufacturers are using out-of-the-box recruiting and retention strategies.

The good news: Food and beverage manufacturing is booming. The bad news: A lack of skilled workers is threatening the industry. According to the 2018 skills gap and workforce study from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, about 2.4 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled between 2018 and 2028. The workforce crisis is putting pressure on manufacturers as they struggle to find the talent needed to operate their plants and meet increased production demands from consumers. What’s a manufacturer to do? From implementing digital technologies that narrows the skills gap to overcoming the negative perception of manufacturing with younger workers to dealing with the wave of baby boomers heading for retirement, ProFood World has rounded up some of the best recruitment and retention strategies to stay competitive in a changing workforce landscape.

Atlas Copco Tcx 4 90 A Compact Chiller

Chillers Include Condensers That Require 30% Less Refrigerant

Lower potential maintenance charges over the life of the units

Meat And Poultry

Meat and Poultry Processing Equipment Industry on a Trajectory

The industry sector is expected to top $22.3 billion by 2027 due, in part, to a growing demand for flavored products.

Graphite Metallizing Graphalloy 327 Pillow Block

Pillow Blocks Have a Lower Profile to Solve Bearing Problems

Provide increased reliability and trouble-free operation

The Clean-Flow cooker-cooler addresses quick changeovers, and faster clean-up and turn-around time.

Improve Processing of Plant-Based Proteins in the Manufacture of Meat Substitutes

Continuous-process systems are essential to preparation for plant-based meat substitute processing to maintain precise control over time, temperature, and moisture during hydration, cooking and cooling, de-flavoring, pouch cooling after pasteurization.

PEC Innovations Report

The latest in machinery at PACK EXPO Connects.

Nord Nordac Variable Frequency Drive

Variable Frequency Drives Are Smart and Compact

Provide greater flexibility in configuration and function

Recyclable Film for Frozen Food

ProAmpac introduces ProActive Recyclable R-2000F designed for use in frozen food packaging. It is available in pre-made pouches or film for high-speed vf/f/s or hf/f/s lines.

MWC, Kraft Heinz, and CTI Foods Named Winners of Manufacturing Innovation Awards

The award-winning food companies will reveal technology highlights of their projects and be honored during a special session at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, September 27-29.

Bete Hydro Pulse Nozzle

Spray Nozzles Improve Product Quality With Uniform, Repeatable Coverage

Minimal overspray reduces waste and maintains a clean, safe environment

Vac U Max Mobile Vacuum Conveying System

Vacuum Conveying System Offers Ease of Mobility

Includes vacuum receiver that meets the rigid food industry requirements

Gericke Hdmf Series Rotary Valve

Rotary Valves Include System for Simplified Cleaning

Also serve as a rotary airlock and metering device for powders, granules, pellets, chips, grain, and other products

The recipe to reduce microbes.

The recipe to reduce microbes.

Meet the Synexis® BioDefense System, the pioneering technology that attacks viruses, bacteria, mold, odors, and insects in the air and on surfaces. Learn More.

Cremer Wd Series Hygiene Centric Counting Machine

Counting Equipment Reduces Product Loss and Maximizes Production Efficiency

Ensure accurate counts for wholesale and retail packages

Recyclable Bag-in-Box Film

Liquibox introduces Liquipure ultra a recyclable bag-in-box film specially designed for medium to high barrier applications.

K+g Wetter Hygienic Secure Bowl Cutter

Industrial Bowl Cutters Provide Unrestricted Process Safety and Efficiency

Offer high level of user orientation

Pfannenburg Eb 2 0 Eco Chiller

Chiller Reduces Energy Usage and Operating Costs

Resists dirt and debris buildup for more efficient operation

Gea Blu Q Chiller

Compressor Excels at Responding to Load Changes

Has space-saving design, simplifying installation

Upgrading all of its production lines with a new incline layout, Vepo Cheese added a Fortress Interceptor metal detector with each line.

Metal Detector Upgrade Helps Cheesemaker Satisfy Growing Demand

Improved sensitivity, an automated reject system, and data transparency all contribute to better inspection efficiencies for Dutch cheese producer.

Fig. 1: Schematic representation of a freeze dryer: 1. Drying chamber, 2. Condenser (cold trap), 3. Vacuum system, 4. Opening gate, 5. Heatable intermediate plates, 6. Cooling coil. Image courtesy of Busch Vacuum Solutions.

The Role of Vacuum Technology in Freeze Drying

While the best-known freeze-dried product is instant coffee, fruit, vegetables, and even cooked meats can reap the benefits of extended shelf life through this technology.

Just Made Foods produces juices in nine varieties in 1.8-oz bottles. Early this year, it plans to add SKUs in 1-liter bottles. Photo courtesy of Just Made Foods.

Longer Shelf Life, Fresh Taste, Safe Food

HPP technology supports the healthy and convenient products consumers seek. For processors already into HPP, and those looking to get started, the market is poised for expansion, fueled by pandemic shopping habits that shifted from restaurants to retail.

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Ross Model Cda 25 Mixer

Mixer Is Designed for Intense Shearing and Homogenization

Offers advanced performance

Volkmann Twin Bulk Bag Unloader

Bag Unloader Reduces Stoppages for Bag Changing

Provides fast emptying and saves on floor space

The nano factory is a fully-functioning, mini production line that fits entirely into a 40-foot shipping container.

Unilever Engineers Fit a Factory Into a 40-foot Container

The ‘nano factory’ enables flexibility and agility in production capability, particularly in terms of testing new products and responding quickly to changes in consumer demand.

Expressed Juice's Landfill-Biodegradable Bottles Withstand HPP Pressure

Florida-based premium juice distributor finds the perfect mix of technology and shelf appeal with its biodegradable bottles.

Rhino Foods’ frozen chocolate-chip cookie dough pellets—shown tumbling from a Messer Wave Freezer, ready for packing—add texture and flavor to ice creams.

Wave Freezer Boosts Cookie Dough Production

For production of the frozen cookie dough bits that appear in ice creams, Rhino Foods has found a cryogenic freezer that provides good vibrations for their sweet sensations.

Sm Graphic Longfield

Eliminating Preservatives With Cold Pressure

All bacteria isn't bad bacteria and sometimes food additives can literally take guts.

Goudsmit Magnetics High Gradient Magnetic Separator

High-gradient Separator Is More Effective Than Free-fall Magnetic Units

Separates metal particles as small as 30 µm

Sirius100 Full Machine

P-s Labeler

Accraply introduces the Sirius 100 cost-effective p-s labeling machine for fast-moving, highly flexible production lines. It is designed to minimize downtime with toolless changeovers.

Side Drive Conveyor

SideDrive Conveyor Co. Launches

SideDrive Conveyor Co. announces its launch as the first company to exclusively focus on configurable side drive conveyor solutions for flexible and modular sanitary applications.

Epi Rotomolded Tuff Stack Pro Container

Bulk Container Represents More Environmentally Friendly Option

Has rotomolded construction for greater impact strength

Bps Vibratory Belt Conveyor

Vibratory Belt Conveyors Are Highly Customizable

UL controls available

Piab Pi Flow P Smart Vacuum Conveyor

Vacuum Conveyor Eliminates Need to Readjust Settings Between Batches

Saves time when changing from one material to another