This website uses cookies primarily for visitor analytics. Certain pages will ask you to fill in contact details to receive additional information. On these pages you have the option of having the site log your details for future visits. Indicating you want the site to remember your details will place a cookie on your device. To view our full cookie policy, please click here. You can also view it at any time by going to our Contact Us page.

Getting up to speed on food automation

01Nov

posted by: Stephen Hayes, Beckhoff UK

There is an old proverb that goes: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” This sentiment can be applied to the adoption of automation in the UK food and beverage production industry, which has traditionally lagged behind other markets.

As food and drink manufacturing faces a new assortment of challenges in labour and productivity, Stephen Hayes, Managing Director of Beckhoff UK, explains why now is the best time to adopt automation.

In August 2021, a partnership of food supply chain organisations, including the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the National Farmers Union (NFU), laid bare the scale of one of the UK food industry’s largest challenges: labour. In their labour availability report, the organisations painted a frank picture of an industry seemingly headed for breaking point.

The report’s executive summary synopsised: “Severe disruption in the availability of workers, impacted by the reduction in free movement of people – coupled with the unprecedented disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic – has created a chronic labour shortage across the whole supply chain.” This shortage is exacerbating productivity challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, while also rekindling a long-standing discussion around the automation adoption of UK food and beverage manufacturers...

Read the full article in PBSI's November issue