Ways to Improve Productivity in Food Manufacturing

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Megan Ray Nichols Food manufacturers across the globe are currently facing some monumental challenges, including some of the biggest brands in the business. The marketplace itself has grown incredibly competitive and saturated, with an endless supply of mature products and fewer and fewer opportunities for success and growth. According to IBISWorld, there are more than 600,000 businesses in the food and beverage industry. Competition also grows from a need to secure consumer dollars, deal with shrinking margins, balance disparate material prices and manage operating costs. It means the only way to develop a sustainable operation is to prioritize efficiency. Luckily, there are many paths to achieve this, whether through equipment and tools purchasing, research and development, adopting new technologies or outfitting the workforce. There is no room to sacrifice product quality or output, especially in the face of growing consumer demand. Furthermore, strict regulatory policies and a need for better transparency across the entire supply chain now pose sizeable obstacles in the way of maximum optimization. It’s about balancing these many systems, processes and policies in a way that is conducive to higher yields. How does one achieve such a thing? We’re going to take a look at several methods food manufacturers can employ to boost efficiency. 1. Tighten Quality-Control Policies Food recalls, shoddy goods and negative public perception and health impact will significantly ruin any progress you’ve made — whether you’ve spent weeks or years in the business. It stands to reason quality control should be a high priority within your organization. To ensure such a thing, you must employ the necessary systems, tools and policies that call for a strict vetting of all goods before they leave the plant. Metal detectors and X-ray systems can help scan items or goods for foreign objects. Temperature and climate control […]