2017 was yet another exciting and eventful year in the Food and Beverage Industry. From upheaval in the Dairy Industry to continued developments in the areas of food safety, labelling, and regulatory changes, there’s barely been a dull moment. As 2017 begins its gradual fade into the rearview mirror, it’s also time to peer through the windscreen at what lies ahead for us in 2018. As consumer and regulatory trends continue to evolve, there is no question that the impact on the Food and Beverage Industry will be profound. In what is already a complex and fiercely competitive environment, the players that can adapt and improvise best will reap the rewards of stability and success.
At Endeavour Solutions, our connection with the industry goes back decades. We’ve helped countless clients navigate the shifting sands, challenges and speed humps with sophisticated, tailored ERP and BI solutions customised to their precise needs. With such a depth and breadth of experience, it’s fair to say that we have our fingers very firmly on the pulse and understand the intricacies that our clients face on a daily basis. With that in mind, we thought we’d provide you with our take on the most significant developments looming on the horizon for next year:
Prediction 1: Safety First
Food safety is showing no signs of slowing as arguably the most pressing issue in the food industry. Consumers and governments alike are spooked by the spectre of food-borne illnesses. While prevention is overwhelmingly the best remedy, in today’s complex global food supply chain, risks are unlikely to be entirely mitigated. Should the worst happen and an outbreak occur, manufacturers and distributors will need to minimise the impact on consumers and their organisations, or face potential disaster.
How Can Endeavour Solutions Help?
Our ERP solutions provide the most sophisticated supply chain traceability and data analysis that deliver the power you need to manage your inventory and production, and respond swiftly should there be a problem. Our dedicated staff are exceptionally well versed in the intricacies of the Food and Beverage industry, so that you can feel safe that your ERP software is optimally customised to ensure compliance.
Prediction 2: This Time, It’s Personal
Today’s consumer is spoiled for choice and demanding products that are more personalised to their needs. The stage is set for an escalation of the trend towards expanding food product ranges to suit specific tastes or dietary requirements. More choice means more recipes, more ingredients, more products, more packaging styles, more labelling variation. Producers will need to find ways of minutely controlling and monitoring all their processes to achieve efficiency and accuracy, while not excessively increasing their cost structures.
How Can Endeavour Solutions Help?
With so many moving parts to keep track of, you need a software solution that can provide you with the control, visibility, data and analysis that you need to meet consumer demand, keep your operations running smoothly and make continuous improvements based on accurate, relevant data. Greentree ERP solutions implemented by Endeavour Solutions are second to none in these regards and can be customised to precisely meet your requirements.
Prediction 3 – Clear as Day
Partially due to growing concerns around food safety mentioned above, and partly as a result of increased awareness of healthy eating, food product labelling will continue to become a more complex consideration. The demand for accuracy and enhanced detail is likely to continue to grow. This places additional pressure on suppliers, who need to achieve ever higher levels of transparency to win or maintain the trust of a discerning customer base.
How Can Endeavour Solutions Help?
Keeping up with labelling regulations and ensuring absolute transparency and accuracy will be a critical challenge for suppliers. Fortunately, our ERP software solutions are the perfect answer to this challenge. Our ERP software will help you to streamline your labelling processes, no matter how complex, so you’ll have all the relevant information at the right place, at the right time.
Prediction 4 – The Big Squeeze
Across the industry, profitability will be further threatened by rising commodities and labour costs. These two major inputs make up a significant proportion of any company’s cost structure. With so many overseas and local competitors all desperately trying to get a slice of the action, there is only so much of these cost increases that can be passed on to consumers. Without cost or efficiency gains elsewhere, food and beverage industry players might find their paper-thin profit margins squeezed even further
How Can Endeavour Solutions Help?
A well-functioning, comprehensive ERP solution can deliver immense productivity gains to your organisation. By streamlining internal systems and processes, the right software will help you to do much more with less. While a customised ERP solution requires a sizeable up-front investment, in most cases the downstream efficiency gains will, in time, more than compensate. Furthermore, the data obtained from your system can play a crucial part in locating areas of inefficiency and providing support for evidence-based management decisions that can impact productivity and improve the bottom line.
Wherever 2018 takes your Food and Beverage business; Endeavour Solutions is ready to speak with you about how we can help you to manage the tricky terrain ahead with brilliant technology, caring service and market leading support. Together, we can assist you to navigate the potential pitfalls and help your organisation thrive.
For more information or to arrange a free consultation, contact Endeavour Solutions today.
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