How Food & Beverage Companies Can Boost Efficiency and Cut Food Waste
Improving efficiency and reducing food waste are critical goals for the Food & Beverage industry. Areas for efficiencies in the Food & Beverage industry often start with raw materials. Costs are 6% higher than this time last year according to the FAO Food Price Index and, added to labour expenses, can be up to 75% of total costs.
Effective inventory management and production scheduling are essential for minimising waste and maximising efficiency. The aim is to ensure that ingredients are used before they expire and that production schedules align with demand, reducing overproduction and spoilage.
By leveraging advanced ERP systems like Evolve 4 Food that are designed for the food industry, companies can achieve end-to-end visibility into their materials and finished goods. ERP systems provide real-time visibility into inventory levels, helping manufacturers track the usage and expiration dates of ingredients. This ensures that raw materials are used efficiently before they spoil, reducing waste due to expired products. By accurately forecasting demand, ERP systems also prevent overproduction and excess inventory.
Traceability and Waste
Ensuring traceability and compliance is essential for food safety in all Food and Beverage businesses. But traceability also helps reduce waste. Advanced ERP systems can facilitate automated data capture at critical tracking points, ensuring that all materials and products are traceable throughout the supply chain. This helps in quickly identifying and isolating issues, reducing the risk of widespread recalls and waste.
Responding to Changing Consumer Preferences
Consumer preferences are shifting towards healthier, sustainable, and convenient food options. Food manufacturers’ considerable investment in R&D ensures new product lines meet these demands. Being nimble to meet consumer demand is an operational efficiency challenge. The ability to maximise production line efficiency across multiple new products is built into ERP systems. This means faster changeovers, improved inventory control and lower waste.
Evolve 4 Food collects and analyses data from various aspects of the manufacturing process. This data-driven approach allows manufacturers to make informed decisions about production, inventory, and quality control. By leveraging insights from data, manufacturers can identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, leading to reduced waste.
Implementing Sustainable Practices
Sustainable practices are essential for reducing food waste and improving efficiency. This includes adopting circular economy models, using renewable energy, and incorporating eco-friendly materials. Companies can also focus on reducing packaging waste and improving recycling processes.
ERP systems support sustainable manufacturing practices by optimising resource usage and reducing waste. Sustainable practices not only reduce waste but also enhance the overall efficiency of operation that ultimately helps improve profitability.
The Evolve 4 Food ERP is built on expertise from years of Food & Beverage industry experience to harness the benefits of constantly evolving technology. Our experienced Food & Beverage specialists understand your challenges and support the success of your business. Contact them today to arrange a callback. Email: info@evolve4.com
