Manufacturers ‘must innovate to support growth’

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Innovation is needed to support the growth of food manufacturing, claimed consultancy
Innovation is needed to support the growth of food manufacturing, claimed consultancy

Related tags Drink manufacturers Innovation

Innovation and investment in new technology are needed to support the growth of food manufacturing, as UK businesses face strong international competition after Brexit, claimed business consultancy RSM. 

RSM said that without strong organisational structures in place to deliver operational efficiencies, UK manufacturers could lag behind international competition following Brexit.

Head of manufacturing Mike Thornton told FoodManufacture.co.uk that food and drink manufacturers also faced a number of other potential challenges, including health concerns, changing consumer tastes and waste reduction measures.

His comments followed a survey of manufacturers – including food and drink manufacturers – which found that more than half (53%) planned to update key business systems in the next five years, with the majority looking to invest within the next three years.

‘Highlights a need to innovate’

“There is growing pressure on food and drink manufacturers to reduce sugar content which highlights a need to innovate new or adapted products to offer a low sugar alternative,” ​said Thornton.

“Innovation also feeds into the waste reduction measures – whether it’s developing new methods to package products or finding new ways to use production waste. UK manufacturers will need to innovate to meet ever-changing criteria.”

Thornton said the potential surge of competition and uncertain trading conditions meant harnessing technology would be the answer to future success.

“Food and drink margins tend to be tight, so even small changes can have a huge impact,” ​he said. “This is particularly pertinent at a time when many UK food and drink manufacturers prepare for a potential surge in competition and uncertain trading conditions following Brexit.

Face increased competition

RSM warned that manufacturers would face increased competition from low-cost, high-quality East Asian products, which the UK had been safeguarded from as part of the EU.

“Whether it’s through product advances, improved productivity or new technology, innovation could improve quality, open up new markets, reduce waste, increase margins and, ultimately, ensure food and drink manufacturers remain competitive on a global scale.”

Ensuring technology is fit for purpose, using technology to improve decision making and integrating technology were cited as the biggest digital challenges. RSM said this highlighted the imminent need for investment.

However, only 11% of UK manufacturers asked had sufficient innovation processes in place to assist them with future growth.

Innovation: What is it good for?

RSM head of manufacturing Mike Thornton said innovation:

  • Improved the quality of products
  • Opened up new markets
  • Reduced waste
  • Increased margins
  • Ensured food and drink manufacturers remain competitive on a global scale

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1 comment

Process Driven Innovation

Posted by valentine tomin,

Good article. The fact that only 11% of survey respondents claimed to have an innovation process in place comes as no surprise. It suggests many of the remaining 89% of food manufacturers are probably sitting on the fence. One way or another, they'll be trying to get their heads around why innovation keeps being touted as the panacea to the problems listed in the article.
Luckily, the process of innovation has moved on significantly as a bone-fide business tool. It no longer requires inspired light-bulb moments; something soft and flaky to be kept at arm's-length by the operationally led food manufacturing industry. Process Driven Innovation is a system that starts with a beginning and ends with a deliverable.
What Process Driven Innovation does require, is an understanding of how and when it should be applied. Because with out doubt,It will help a businessMake the step changes needed to survive and thrive in these not so "strong & stable" economic times.
There just needs to be a culture in place that identifies when to apply Process Driven Innovation. The good news is that adopting Process Driven Innovation does not create the usual upheaval associated with internal culture change. With the right facilitation, Process Driven Innovation can be turned on and off like a tap...Making it work for you as and when you decide you need it.
Visit http://thefinerdetail.com/Is-process-driven-innovation-marketings-missing-link/ To find out more about Process Driven Innovation

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