FOOD & BEVERAGE F
or example, the European food and drink industry alone generates a turnover of 1.1 trillion and contributes €222 billion in value added. However, to take advantage of this market potential, food processing companies
must overcome industry wide issues.
RAW MATERIALS COSTS The food processing industry is heavily impacted by the volatility of raw material prices. The past decade has seen signifi cant fl uctuations, with costs increasing steadily. This rise puts pressure on already narrow profi t margins. However, the right fl eet management programme can help control costs in materials handling fl eets within food processing. Fleet management programmes analyse applications and operational data to help right-size warehouse equipment fl eets. This approach helps to minimise idle equipment, reducing unnecessary costs, and improving overall effi ciency. Maintenance also plays a key role in fl eet management. It is a factor which can maximise equipment lifespan and performance. Preventative and predictive maintenance both also help limit equipment downtime and, therefore, potentially costly operational disruption. Maintaining equipment correctly can also
help extend the useful life of equipment, delaying the need for new equipment acquisitions. In addition, maintenance may help trucks operate reliably for longer. These are both welcome factors in an industry where new equipment budgets are declining. As an added benefi t, this approach also helps reduce environmental impact by maximising the use of existing assets.
THE SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA The food industry is a primary target for emission reduction initiatives. As such, there has been a substantial increase in sustainability investments. Trends such as clean labelling, plant-based
products and 3D food printing are becoming more prevalent. These practices emphasise transparency, ethical sourcing and waste
UNLOCK MATERIALS HANDLING PERFORMANCE IN FOOD PROCESSING
By Kwaku Owusu-Ansah, Industry Manager, Yale Lift Truck Technologies
Food processing is a significant and vital sector, characterised by robust growth and a substantial market size
reduction, addressing both environmental impact and consumer demand. Yet, while there is a desire to further integrate
sustainability into the materials handling part of food processing operations, it presents challenges. Opting for electric equipment has often meant dealing with costly lead acid battery maintenance and replacements and relies upon robust and expensive charging infrastructure. However, lithium-ion power for lift trucks and warehouse equipment may present a solution. Lithium-ion batteries have a useful life up to three times longer than lead acid counterparts. They can often be charged quickly and effi ciently, optimising energy use and
associated costs. As lithium-ion batteries can be opportunity charged in situ, this transition also eliminates the need for large battery storage and changing rooms, helping remove a barrier to zero-emission equipment adoption.
STRICT STANDARDS Strict food safety regulations, traceability and temperature control standards are daily considerations for food processing applications. Food business operators are required to keep detailed records that can demonstrate compliance with safety standards. This includes information on the suppliers of raw materials, production processes and distribution channels. Day in, day out, food processing sites must
avoid food contamination as a bare minimum. When materials handling equipment is involved, this can become more complex. Operational environments with corrosive fl uids can affect food safety, equipment and productivity, causing downtime. Food contamination from non-grade food lubricants could be both dangerous and litigious for food producers. Here, businesses can opt for materials handling equipment with food grade lubricants to help minimise risk around incidental contact causing food contamination and resultant product recalls. Lithium-ion also offers a clean technology for battery powered machines. It eliminates tailpipe emissions, and factors like fumes and acid are eliminated around food handling.
The EU Offi cial Controls Regulation (OCR) also encourages the use of modern technologies to enhance traceability and visibility. This includes digital record-keeping, electronic reporting systems and other technological solutions to track and trace
24 SEPTEMBER 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
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