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FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY
sponsored by catering to
the needs of the food & beverage industry
Jake Dibb, OEM business development manager UK, SolutionsPT, explains how machine builders can future-proof their
customers with a digital transformation offering M
odern food & beverage manufacturers face a number of existential challenges, particularly in the UK, where
supermarkets wield huge influence in the cost, delivery and ultimate success of consumables. In turn, supermarkets are influenced by the buying decisions of an increasingly savvy consumer, who is not only buying based on price, but will make informed decisions based on a variety of other factors such as perceived health benefits and ethical or ecological credibility. Add to this growing consumer expectations of new products, flavours and package sizes, alongside increasingly stringent regulations, and it’s clear that, when it comes to remaining competitive, modern F&B manufacturers must sprint to stand still. Such market pressures mean that Digital
Transformation (DX) is vital for manufacturers. The promise of product traceability, reduced waste, improved efficiency, quicker product development, smoother supply chain logistics, and the flexibility to adapt more quickly to trends and regulations, means that manufacturers can set a path to thriving in a challenging market. However, implementing a successful DX strategy in a complex environment like a food manufacturing plant is not a simple process and cannot be taken lightly.
the role of the oeM
Apart from creating machines that are digitally enabled, flexible and ‘smart’ enough to meet the needs of manufacturers, one often overlooked responsibility of the OEM in enabling digital transformation is to make sure that their technologies do not introduce software or integration barriers. Manufacturers in the F&B sector often work
with a multitude of OEMs in their complex and varied production and packaging processes. As
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standard, the software environment for the assets is provided by the OEM, and although designed specifically for the sector – including to required industry standards – it isn’t always tailored for the end user’s onsite integration needs. Moreover, further along the supply chain retailers will require manufacturers to work with their software ecosystem to
piece of the digital transformation puzzle. By effectively removing the need for
manufacturers to purchase and employ multiple software environments, there is a cost saving for the end user as well as efficiency gains associated with reduced training. The benefits of agnostic software capabilities
reach to the other side of the supply chain as well, with OEMs able to offer peace of mind that their products will integrate with their current retailer and any others they introduce in the future. With the right choice of agnostic software, OEMs will be future-proofing operations while adhering to the strict standards of the sector. Engaging with a digital transformation partner like SolutionsPT not only delivers the agnostic capabilities through
“The promise of product traceability, reduced waste, improved efficiency, quicker product development, smoother supply chain logistics,
and the flexibility to adapt more quickly to trends and regulations, means that manufacturers can set a path to thriving in a challenging market”
streamline logistics and supply, and data that reaches all the way back to the production machinery is increasingly important. The plethora of software environments
that manufacturers need to navigate doesn’t lend itself to the rapid and uninhibited movement of data that is the backbone of digital transformation. It also creates a time- consuming challenge for enterprises of any size when onboarding new OEMs, adding products, or entering a new retail environment.
agnostic offering
OEMs looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded market can do so by their choice of DX software. By choosing a software that is agnostic to hardware and other software environments, OEMs can help resolve this challenge and pre-package this important
1 DESIGN SOLUTIONS SEPTEMBER 2023
world-class AVEVA software, but creates an extended team to ensure smooth scalability, whether a manufacturer is introducing one new machine or building an entirely new facility.
scalability
Future-proofing operations applies to both the end user and the OEM. It doesn’t matter if a customer is a small business with a specialist product looking to grow over time and add new flexibility, or a global enterprise with multiple facilities replicating their success in a new country. The OEM may be entering an existing facility with a range of assets from multiple providers, or a greenfield site where their product is part of a complex process. In all instances agnostic capabilities ensure their product won’t disrupt operations but can seamlessly integrate with existing assets.
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