When it comes to their food, consumers have become far too savvy to settle for less. They demand – and deserve – healthy, farm-to-fork options that can be traceable with a single source of truth.
The food and beverage manufacturing industry has had to adjust to serve clients and customers who seek organic, non-GMO, high quality, nutrient rich foods with accurate, transparent, traceable labeling systems.
The good news is that most consumers are willing to pay a few cents more for it.
But for food engineers, research and development specialists and food and beverage manufacturers, it can sometimes be difficult to balance customer preferences and the demands of the marketplace against production costs and profit margins.
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The profit margin for food and beverage manufacturers is notoriously low – so streamlined processes and maximized resources are an absolute must for companies that hope to thrive and expand their market share.
In addition to consumer demands, brick and mortar businesses are under fire from internet distribution centers that seem to be constantly pilfering market share and brand allegiance.
Setting goals
Quality comes at a price; for manufacturers to deliver the highest quality raw ingredients, develop, produce and ship their products while competing in global markets, maintaining profits and increasing market share – they need innovative solutions that will increase their ROI and reduce their risks.
Setting goals for each department along the supply chain and equipping stakeholders with innovative tools that develop and support a culture of continuous improvement allows organizations to reduce costs and maintain quality.
Intelligent Food Product = Eating Smart
Consumers demand less sugar, less fat, more fiber, no tree nuts – healthy, near perfect foods that taste great and promote a healthy lifestyle. Recent surveys and studies indicate that more than 50 percent of Americans say that their eating habits are cleaner and more healthy than they were a year ago – and that they expect to continue healthy eating trends in the coming year.
Balance is crucial – and difficult to achieve without the proper tools.
The key for producers and manufacturers lies within their data – finding a way to accurately analyze, integrate and provide cross-functional support for the most complex aspects of recipe-based production development.
Appealing to all five senses
More than 95 percent of consumers say that labels are a huge part of their decision to make a purchase. They expect clean, concise, accurate labels that provide the information they want – down to the origin of the products – as a single source of truth.
Unfortunately, consumers also report that unethical practices regarding food labels have created a culture of distrust with many large brands.
Millennials have been a key factor in changing the way the majority of the population shops; they insist on bright, colorful food labels that are simple and easy to read, with specific information – natural, locally sourced, sustainable, aware of environmental issues – consistency and truth for all of their food purchases.
Efficiency is crucial for recipe-based food manufacturing
Once they learn how to use their data as a strategic weapon, manufacturers can increase efficiency and provide seamless, connective, end-to-end solutions for their entire product development system.
An innovative PLM platform supports rapid response, speed to market and optimizes product development along the supply chain while monitoring quality controls, regulatory compliance and specific recipe data – like Halal, Kosher, allergens and nutritional information.
In terms of transparency and availability of information, a PLM platform can be uploaded to the GDSN with a single click, setting the global stage for rapid product rollouts, new market penetration and increased sales around the world.
A Single Source of Truth
Nothing is more important that trust – trust provides brand loyalty across product lines and across the globe. Clean labels as a single source of truth can propel your business – dirty labels can sink you.
Industry leaders and successful organizations – manufacturers that thrive in all market conditions – understand the value of brand loyalty, and the necessity of providing customers with trusted product information…no matter where they choose to shop.
Featured Image: © shutterstock / George Dolgikh
