By Matthew Iniger, CIFT Program Manager Ohio House of Representatives
Important points:
- The food industry is rapidly becoming digital with improvements in sensor technology and data collection capabilities, allowing manufacturers to better understand their ingredients, products and operations.
- Five key themes are identified: supply chain flexibility (more SKU/ingredient control), digitization, autonomous systems/automation, increased consumer awareness of food sourcing/sustainability, and operational sustainability requirements. We are reshaping the industry.
- While new technologies offer significant benefits (24/7 operations, increased accuracy, predictive analytics), they also come with challenges, such as high capital investments and the need for specialized skills in data analysis and programming.
Until now, data collection in the food industry has been limited for many food manufacturers for several reasons. Maybe they don’t have the expertise or resources to collect and analyze the data, they don’t know where to start, or it’s their focus. delivering the product to the customer. With continued improvements in sensor technology and the availability of sensor technology to manufacturers of all sizes, adaptation in the food industry is inevitable. Using these technologies, food companies can now better understand their ingredients, products, and operations.
of Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) And JobsOhio recently Current status of the food industry. The results revealed five themes that will have a major impact on the food industry and make technology transformation in the industry even more talked about.
Supply chain flexibility
Supply chain disruptions are forcing food processors to quickly adjust, improve risk management, and open new channels for both suppliers and customers. Supply chain disruptions in this industry are not new. We’re seeing increasing supply chain challenges as consumers demand more flavors and options for their products and food processors need to source additional stock-keeping units (SKUs) .
Food processors often need to be able to process 200 different ingredients in 60 SKUs, even if the majority of their revenue comes from other primary products. Increasing the number of SKUs and additional ingredients introduces new potential risks to the environment, including traceability issues, processing requirements, and storage-related challenges.
Addressing this challenge has resulted in solutions that enable rapid adaptation to new supply constraints, real-time location tracking, and alternative input sources through AI-powered algorithms.
Digitalization of the food industry
As manufacturing becomes increasingly digital, manufacturers need to understand what technology exists and how to incorporate it into their operations to meet evolving industry requirements for increased transparency and safety. You need to understand what you can do. These changes are not only being driven by compliance requirements, but also by retailers demanding that vendors be able to participate in digital supply networks that alleviate compliance concerns.
The greater the investment in how raw materials and final products are measured, the easier it will be to improve performance. For example, by accurately measuring moisture content in real time, product shelf life can be significantly optimized.
Collecting data from operations also helps increase uniformity of procedures and reduces dependence on the expertise of key individuals.
Autonomous systems in the era of Industry 4.0
Autonomous systems are poised to revolutionize the food industry. These offer significant benefits such as accelerating production improvements, enabling 24/7 availability, reducing labor costs, increasing uptime, minimizing equipment wear, and increasing accuracy and consistency.
Advances in sensor technology have enabled some food manufacturers to integrate artificial intelligence. These data acquisition systems can accurately profile complex biological components and products, allowing manufacturers to automate processes and gain valuable insights from predictive data analytics that have been used in other fields for years. Masu.
Automation has many benefits, but it also comes with challenges. Automation typically requires large capital investments and the acquisition of advanced skills in data analysis and programming, both of which are in high demand across all sectors. You should also allow time for employees to complete onboarding. This can delay the return on investment until employees are trained on how to use the technology.
Awareness about food consumption
Consumers are becoming more conscious about their food consumption, demanding healthier options and a wider range of transparent processes. They are looking for brands that express a commitment to minimizing their impact on the environment. To address this need, food manufacturers can provide consumers with information that further explains how their products are sourced. This information is accessible through mechanisms such as QR codes and the environmental impact section of the website.
Consumers also want more personalization and convenience in shopping, purchasing, and shipping. This trend has led to developments such as providing additional channels for product distribution such as direct-to-consumer sales, enhancing ordering processes such as shipping and packaging, and adding ways to increase customer engagement such as customization options. .
Operational sustainability
The food industry is expected to face even stricter regulations regarding emissions, resource usage, and waste. Fortunately, advanced technology has made it possible to manage resources more efficiently.
Many food companies now have the potential to make significant improvements by optimizing their waste streams and tracking their progress in this area.
The most successful companies are those that address problems while practicing cost minimization and optimize resources while identifying the most advantageous opportunities for improvement. For example, is food stored in a way that keeps it as fresh as possible?
Transformation through technology
The food industry is undergoing major changes due to advances in technology. Supply chain flexibility and digitalization of the food industry are reshaping the way businesses operate. Autonomous systems are poised to revolutionize industries through AI and advanced sensor technologies that enable automation and insightful and predictive data analysis. As the industry anticipates increased regulations on emissions, resource use and waste, these advanced technologies will play a key role in managing resources more efficiently and ensuring compliance and sustainability. That’s it.
Matt Iniger is with CIFT. Ohio House of Representativesduring which time we have worked with hundreds of companies to provide a variety of engineering solutions needed to fit their unique situations. He manages CIFT’s advanced technology programs in the areas of automation and robotics. Matt also supports product development teams on specific projects, both in benchtop work and production scale-up.
