Discover your next big idea in food packaging & processing this Sept.
Experience a breakthrough in food packaging & processing—explore solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries at PACK EXPO Las Vegas.
REGISTER TODAY & SAVE

Resiliency of the Food Industry

Timelines skewed, international building plans delayed–yet as companies adapt, site search project work continues to move forward.

Food Plantworker Ppe

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected only small numbers of food and beverage manufacturers working on site selection projects. The good news is site search project work is going quite well.

“We’ve generally seen food and beverage projects develop more quickly based on changes in the market resulting from the pandemic,” states Brandon Talbert, managing director at Austin Consulting. “Some projects that were already planned have seen their timelines accelerated based on growing demand for certain products, particularly in the retail space. Other projects that were focused on the foodservice segment have suffered.” Talbert says the pandemic has forced companies to think more strategically about their businesses and sustainability with respect to supply chains and manufacturing footprint. “Overall, the pandemic has underscored the resiliency of the industry,” he adds.

Food and beverage processing and packaging has remained one of the strongest industry sectors in North Carolina during the pandemic, according to Mary Lesa Pegg, food processing industry recruiter for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “We’ve recently seen some substantial announcements, ranging from Nestlé Purina PetCare planning to spend $450 million to transform a former MillerCoors brewery in Eden into a petfood factory employing 300 people, to new contract beverage manufacturer Prime Beverage Group announcing it will spend $68 million to establish its first manufacturing facility, a 231-job plant in Kannapolis.”

Videos from Dennis Group
Proteins Innovations Report
Discover cutting-edge protein packaging innovations from PACK EXPO International 2024! Our editorial team spotlights hygienic equipment and materials designed for the demanding protein sector. From IP66-rated washdown systems and all-servo chub packaging to advanced auto-bagging technology and compostable trays replacing EPS, this report reveals how manufacturers are addressing clean, safe design while improving efficiency.
Take Me There
Proteins Innovations Report
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO