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Source: Adobe Stock Looking back on the past 10 years in the baking industry, it’s been one heck of a ride. When the Great Recession hit in 2008, bakers were growing accustomed to rolling with the punches, having survived challenges like the Atkins craze that impacted so many businesses. In troubled times, bakers learned quickly to tighten the purse strings and keep their heads above water, and they proceeded with caution. In fact, when Baking & Snack conducted its 2008 Commercial Baking Capital Spending Study, 63% of respondents indicated they were holding year-to-year capital investments steady or decreasing from the previous year. What a difference a decade makes. Through the recession, the war on gluten, drastic agricultural changes and bloggers bent on bringing down big food, truly the strong have survived. 2018 brought rapid and sweeping changes to the US economy, particularly manufacturing. It’s changing commercial bakers’ outlook and ultimately impacting their equipment purchasing plans. Bakers are gravitating toward strategic investments in equipment that not only streamlines their operations but also moves business forward for the long haul. The 2019 Equipment Trends Survey — a triennial report conducted by Kansas City, MO-based Cypress Research — examined where, why and how bakers are investing their dollars for manufacturing equipment and how it can propel them toward the future. “Commercial bakers are now looking at how equipment technology can improve their business,” said Marjorie Hellmer, Cypress president. “They’re not looking at equipment from a day-to-day operational perspective as much as the role it plays in future of their business. And that’s saying a lot for commercial baking.” The future looks bright Despite the roller coaster of tax breaks, trade wars and the longest government shutdown in history, many bakers are reaching for their shades anyway. “If you look at the outlook, […]