SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT


Without real-time inventory or production data, planners need to make decision not reflect actual conditions. This misalignment leads to inefficient resource allocation and unexpected production stoppages. Even when production planning is


automated, downtime can still occur when workforce scheduling doesn’t match machine availability. Downtime becomes inevitable when production systems do not include constraints such as operator certifications or machine qualifications. Production scheduling, sequencing,


and recipe management challenges will be shaped by unique operational constraints and regulatory requirements. Production scheduling must account for changeovers to minimise idle time between batches. Without proper sequencing,


there are likely to be


unnecessary delays when switching between product types. For bakeries, contamination concerns


also drive many changeover requirements. Some production plans cannot be executed back-to-back, for example, because ingredients from one recipe might contaminate the next. Cleaning and preparation between incompatible recipes can also add significant time that must be factored into scheduling. Added to the everyday practicalities and planning issues, increasingly complex, interdependent global supply chains can also pose challenges. Disruptions can cascade rapidly through production networks, triggering bottlenecks and delays that lead to idle time. As the cost of downtime rises, bakeries


need to make use of modern technology to help reduce lost production hours. Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring technologies have helped address equipment-related failures; but these solutions do not address the planning and scheduling inefficiencies that cause a significant portion of the downtime. RELEX argues that its AI-powered planning software solution can help overcome this. Rather than focusing on predicting machine failures, RELEX Production Planning and Scheduling optimises the controllable elements of production planning and scheduling that often cause unnecessary downtime. Its solution complements existing


WHEN EVERY LINK IS


CONNECTED THROUGH SHARED SYSTEMS AND DATA, TEAMS CAN PLAN BETTER, WASTE LESS, AND RESPOND FASTER TO DEMAND


shelf life, and other considerations to determine optimal production scheduling. In addition to optimising production


capacities, the solution can tactically manage planned downtime by scheduling maintenance windows based on operational realities. Granular modelling at hourly, rather than weekly intervals, helps ensure efficient asset utilisation while eliminating downtime caused by production planning gaps. In bakery applications, the system


maintenance technologies with intelligent automation to help ensure machines run the right products in the right sequence at the right time. At the core of RELEX’s approach to


production planning is the ability to plan and schedule at a granular level – down to hourly – which allows bakeries to seamlessly translate high-level strategic plans


into day-to-day


optimises production sequences and reduces cleaning time between runs. It can ensure proper sequencing, such as running white bread, then brown bread, then seeded products in the right order, while establishing optimal patterns for recurring production cycles. Taking such a systematic approach can save hours daily by reducing the frequency and duration of production line changeovers. Volatile ingredient markets, tightening


operational


schedules without information loss or manual intervention. The system can handle complex workforce scheduling, machine availability, and certification requirements as integrated constraints. The solution employs artificial


intelligence (AI) to automate complex optimisation decisions across multiple variables. It implements a ‘golden touch’ philosophy where human intervention occurs only where it truly adds value. The system analyses production capacity and the manufacturing demands of each product, accounting for lead times,


regulations, sustainability obligations and the ever-present risk of disruption mean that traditional, siloed approaches are no longer sufficient when it comes to supply chain planning. Collaboration and intelligent planning is now more important than ever before. Technology can provide the tools to


achieve this – whether through ERP platforms that unify data, or through AI-driven planning systems. However, technology alone is not the solution. Success also depends equally on bringing people and processes together around shared goals, supported by accurate, real-time data.


DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025/26 • KENNEDY’S BAKERY PRODUCTION • 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40