As we head into the end of 2022, the last month is always a busy and exciting period for the food and beverage industry as businesses try to wrap up for the year and plan for the year ahead!
Based on Innova's Market Insights, we've put together a list of helpful tips to keep in mind as you prepare for 2023:
Agile and sustainable manufacturing
Economic and political volatility has led to a global cost-of-living crisis, and consumers are preparing to adapt. However, they remain determined to sample new experiences, ensure personal well-being and support planetary health. This creates a challenge for brands and manufacturers, who must deliver value while meeting these wider public expectations.
As the cost of living continues to rise, it is clear that consumers are willing to make changes in their behaviour to save money. However, they will favour brands that are transparent about their sustainability efforts.
"Consumers seek out brands that respond to their core value at economic price" Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights Director
The Matcon Advantage
Sustainability and efficiency are important when it comes to meeting consumer demands. However, these goals can bring about business-wide challenges, such as higher costs and possible business disruptions. Managing these changes can be difficult and can lead to longer product lead times, especially during the teething stages of implementation.
But what if there is a better way to maximise your manufacturing potential whilst reducing product waste and increasing OEE?
At Matcon, we understand your challenges and have the experience and knowledge to help brands develop agile and sustainable manufacturing systems. We take a holistic approach to each project, taking into account the unique needs of our clients.
We work with brands to assess their manufacturing goals, focus on developing LEAN and AGILE production systems and drive for continuous improvement. With our help, brands can develop manufacturing systems that are efficient and responsive to the ever-changing marketplace.
Our Cone Valve IBC system is designed to cope with small and large batch runs, recipe variety, and handle allergens safely. This helps brands maintain a flexible ingredient list to cope with supply chain fluctuations. We are also committed to using only high-quality materials in our designs so that you can be confident in their reliability for years to come.
Get the right recipe every time, every day
Matcon also developed a pioneering automatic ingredient formulation system that can be used in both small and large-scale facilities without sacrificing quality or consistency. It considers all factors, including weight and fill volumes needed by each product line, while also accounting for any special instructions regarding formulation changes.
It is comprised of a number of 'ingredient IBCs' located on an elevated framework, with batch ingredients being collected according to pre-programmed recipes.
The formulation system is then further tailored to suit individual business needs. There are two versions depending on production rate requirements.
On the Concurrent Formulation System, multiple batch IBCs can be filled at the same time. As one full IBC is unloaded at the outfeed, empty IBCs can be added at the infeed, thus maximising the throughput. The system is sealed and automated, meaning that different recipes can be formulated by calling at different ingredient fill points.
The Sequential Formulation System moves only one batch IBC at a time on the automated trolley. This system is particularly useful, where many different recipes must be produced throughout the day.
By using an automatic ingredient formulation system, food manufacturers can eliminate human error at key stages, save time, money, and ensure compliance and consistency across all products.
New product launches
If you're planning to launch new food and beverage products on the market, it's worth noting that consumers are increasingly looking for items that are healthy and affordable. In fact, year-over-year growth in food and beverage launches with a budget claim has increased by 86%, while those with a health claim also have seen a considerable surge. Naturalness is also important, featured in third place in the top 3 consumer preferences.
"To meet the demand for high nutritional value at the right price, innovation is needed to maximise efficiency and yields" Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights Director
The Matcon Advantage
Creating a signature formulation on a tight profit margin is a science and an art. It takes time, effort, and the right partner to see success. Too often, companies try to take on these challenges themselves, but this can lead to stalled momentum and increased risk.
At Matcon, we understand that as a manufacturer, your success is reliant on two key factors: efficiency and capacity. That's why our powder handling systems are based on a modular design, enabling you to expand and add capacity as your business grows. Not only that but the workflow can be adjusted to incorporate expensive existing equipment like blenders, ensuring that you get the most out of your investment.
So whether you're a small business just starting or a large corporation looking to streamline your operations, we have the solution for you.
Plant Based – unlocking a new narrative
The plant-based industry is still in its relative infancy, but it is already beginning to benefit from increasing levels of government support. In particular, a number of governments are beginning to launch National Protein Strategies (NES), which provide a framework for transitioning from an animal-based protein economy to a plant-based one.
Consumers still want improvements in taste and texture, but there is also a growing appetite for culinary creativity and worldwide flavour profiles. According to Innova's global survey, two-thirds of respondents expressed a desire to try plant-based versions of traditional, local cuisines.
Furthermore, interest in underused ingredients is also growing, creating opportunities to introduce variation in flavour and nutrition while simultaneously addressing supply and cost concerns.
It is clear that the growing popularity of plant-based proteins is here to stay.
"Underused ingredients and technology-enabled new formats open up wider spaces for stand-alone plant-based innovation" Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights Director
The Matcon Advantage
If you're thinking of making the switch to plant-based manufacturing or are already doing so but would like to improve your manufacturing efficiency, Matcon can help. We have a wealth of experience working with companies in this sector, and our equipment is designed to handle even the most difficult-to-process powders.
The five main areas where Matcon Powder Handling Systems can help are:
- ensuring a perfect blend of powders every time
- overcoming powder segregation between manufacturing steps
- maintaining the extruder calibration and operating the loss-in-weight feeder for maximum accuracy
- increasing recipe variety and reducing product waste
- avoiding cross-contamination
Check out our recorded webinar Plant-based Food Manufacturing - Opportunities and Challenges, where we explore how to overcome manufacturing challenges in depth.
Our experts are sharing tips on improving the yield, lowering operational costs and keeping the production line running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
That's just a snapshot of the trends we can expect to see in 2023. When looking for a company to help with your manufacturing efficiency, it's essential to find one that understands these trends and can provide you with the solutions you need to stay ahead of the competition.
At Matcon, we specialise in providing tailored manufacturing solutions for businesses like yours. We understand your challenges and can provide the quickest path to success.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help unlock your manufacturing potential.
Posted by
Matt BaumberTopics:
Food Manufacturing