Food and beverage manufacturing – improving flexibility
A GUIDE FOR SYSTEM INTEGRATORS AND MACHINE BUILDERS
The food and beverage industry is the UK ’ s largest manufacturing sector and has many manufacturing challenges . The slightest change in the weather , for example , can impact food and beverage manufacturers , requiring changes to production .
As a machine builder or system integrator , knowing the key trends in the food and beverage market will help you to create an effective solution for your customers .
In this guide we ’ ll look at the key food and beverage trends in 2022 . We ’ ll then focus on one trend in particular : improving flexibility in food and beverage manufacturing .
We ’ ll cover what flexible manufacturing is , its benefits to the food and beverage sector , and ways to achieve it . And we ’ ll suggest products that may help with increasing flexibility in your manufacturing system .
FOOD AND BEVERAGE AUTOMATION TRENDS IN 2022
Food and beverage automation integrates technology across a production line so that companies can streamline their process , saving costs and reducing the need for human labour at each stage .
Here are some of the key trends in 2022 :
• Sustainable manufacturing is becoming the norm
• There ’ s been an increasing focus on food hygiene and safety since Covid-19
• There ’ s an increased need for accuracy of inspection
• Big brands are aiming to move to recyclable , reusable , or compostable packaging by 2025
8 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk
• Food manufacturing automation capabilities are increasing
• Developing flexible manufacturing to be able to adapt to future changes and innovations
TREND : IMPROVING FLEXIBILITY IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING
Flexibility helps in adapting or changing processes , such as changes in production volume , mobility and quality .
WHAT IS FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING ?
Flexible manufacturing means being able to adapt to the different needs of customers and changes in production .
To be flexible , your system would be able to cope with production changes within a matter of hours and days – without having to create a whole new manufacturing process !
This is where automation comes into play . Examples of automation include food quality inspection , robotics , conveyor lines , and sealing and labelling .
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE ?
• Improved quality of products with less chance of product recalls
• A process that can adapt easily to change
• Protection of workers ’ safety
• Traceability throughout production
• Increased productivity and ROI
• Meeting customer needs
• Reduced waste and saving on costs
• Improved hygiene and sanitation
7 WAYS TO ACHIEVE FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING
1 . PRE-WIRED SYSTEMS
Customers prefer to have everything set up in their system and ready to go so that they can change processes easily . You can request products tailored to the customer ’ s needs such as specific cable lengths .
Examples of pre-wired products :
• Pre-assembled beacons with M12 connection and plugs with male and female threads , universal and easy to install
• Pre-assembled compact signal towers , with different cable lengths available on request
2 . ERROR RECOGNITION AND QUALITY CHECKING THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS
Address problems early in the process