Despite the ongoing economic difficulties, when all other industries have struggled, food and drink production remains strong. Standing at least 10% above the average manufacturing levels. So what continues to drive the industry forward?
In 2011, it was recorded that the food and drink industry spent £1 billion on research and development. Producing 8,500 new products – and it’s down to the huge surge of interest in food software process reengineering and innovation.
Over 55% of food and drink manufacturers consistently place product development as the number one priority for innovation, leaving ‘health and wellness’ trailing behind. This is an interesting turn in industry priorities, where health used to be a core issue and selling point.
Why?
How can we explain this shift? Firstly, health has now become a mainstream consideration – every supermarket range now has a ‘healthy’, ‘light’, ‘live well’ or ‘organic’ range. The health message has become exhausted, pushing product development increasingly into the spotlight.
Boost commercial opportunities
Equally, it is the huge commercial opportunities available that have pushed the use of emerging technologies higher up the agenda. Products which have a longer shelf life, enhanced taste and multiple functions means that the industry – and its consumers – can do more with their food. New technologies mean that manufacturers can play around with taste, texture and appearance – and customers like to play along too. Rather than promoting healthy living, the food industry is returning to its core focus on flavour and sensation; product development has put taste back on the menu.
Increase manufacturing efficiency
Innovation in products inevitably requires innovation in technology. From new factory equipment through to new IT software, the process of updating production techniques has a cumulative effect on a manufacturer’s demands. Smoothing processes means production can be more effective, and developing the MRP system for production chain management is a good place to start.
>>Download Lakeview’s guide on food and beverage industry software innovation and best practices<<
Just one example of how innovating your existing food software delivers cost-savings is by minimising waste in the food manufacturing process. This simple reengineered business processs hows that food software reengineering doesn’t cost the world but certainly goes a long way to reduce overhead costs – which other trends in software innovation do you see becoming a priority this year? Add to the discussion in the comment box below…
// ]]>
The post Food manufacturers place industry ‘software innovation’ above ‘healthy food’ appeared first on Lakeview Blog | ERP providers to UK businesses.
