Food & Drink Process & Packaging Issue 30 2020 | Page 40

What does the future hold for food & beverage manufacturing? By Emma Ryde, Rittal’s Product Manager Industrial & Outdoor Enclosures Food and beverage manufacturers of all sizes are facing huge operational challenges right now. Sudden increases in consumer demand, shifting expectations, changes in food safety legislation, and emerging technologies, all require companies to be responsive, agile and flexible. There is also the matter of ensuring seamless production continuity, to ensure consumer confidence around maintaining food and beverage supplies. As digital technologies continue to transform global markets, no industry remains untouched, and food and beverage manufacturing is certainly no exception. Let’s consider how each of these three factors can impact day-to-day operations on the production floor, and how leading manufacturers are adapting to win. STANDARDS AND LEGISLATION In recent years, food and beverage manufacturing regulations have changed significantly across the globe due to technological and scientific advancements. Europe has long been at the forefront of these legislative changes and successful companies will likely be those who stay ahead of the curve by implementing changes sooner rather than later. These companies will avoid both production downtime, and the potential for higher costs associated with refits, when new legislation eventually passes. Even in our current outcomes-based regulatory framework, reducing cleaning time and ensuring impeccable hygiene standards continue to be key areas of focus. 40 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk