BISCUIT PRODUCTION
“A key element of any biscuit production line – from mixing through to product handling – will be hygiene”
only costly downtime but also premature replacement of components.” Offering an example, Keith cites wear of an actuator on a production line, which could be inferred from factors such as response time and current drawn – as well as cycles – to maximise its useful life while avoiding the risk of a breakdown.
Although the biscuit sector may be ahead of some other areas of food production when it comes to the adoption of automated technology, it is still important to consider taking the next step to meet Industry 4.0 goals of becoming a smart factory. The sector is intensively competitive, often with very thin margins, and a smart factory can improve a company’s competitive position based on the application of joined up technology and the analysis of data from the factory floor and from across the enterprise and the supply chain. A smart factory embodies various elements, including the development of machine-to-machine communication (M2M) for factory-wide flexible system optimisation, system- to-factory connectivity which enables the convergence of commercial data with the production world, and connectivity into the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Digitise to survive, recover and grow
All manufacturers are being urged to accelerate technology adoption to adjust to the economic challenges around the supply chain, energy costs, and Covid. Made Smarter,
manufacturing industries to digital tools,
the movement connecting UK recently
conducted a survey of some 200 small and medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers in the North West of England. The results highlighted how the last two years affected them, and their approach to digitalisation and their priorities going forward. The survey revealed while many (35%) makers – particularly smaller businesses – are focussed on survival after a turbulent few years, achieving growth by improving productivity and adopting digital technologies are key drivers. In fact, 38% revealed they had plans to invest in or adopt new technology in the next two or three years. Meanwhile, one-in-three respondents said their latest business strategy included integrating digital technology or a roadmap towards automation.
Almost half of those surveyed expressed an interest in data and systems integration technologies, while two- thirds were considering industrial machinery, robotics and automation.
IPCO’s bake oven belt laser cleaning system in action.
Biscuit producers operating a smart factory will see improvements in quality control through in-line quality monitoring, reduced costs and complexity of factory inventory management, and they should also benefit from reduced energy costs.
Hygiene issues
A key element of any biscuit production line – from mixing through to product handling – will be hygiene, and here equipment design has a vital role to play. According to Keith, three principles form the basis good, hygienic design:
The survey also tapped into attitudes towards technology adoption where it found that almost one-third cited productivity, efficiency, and output as key drivers, despite the current business climate. Increasing revenue was the secondary motivator to invest in new digital tools, followed by attracting and winning new customers. However, while the majority expressed a clear understanding of what they need to do and the benefits of investing in new technologies, once they are aware of the benefits, barriers to adoption remain. Two-in-five said that the lack of capital and funding to invest was holding them back from investing, as well as the lack of time. Donna Edwards, Programme Director for the Made Smarter adoption programme in the North West of England, believes these findings show that the case for digitalisation has never been stronger. She says: “SMEs have endured a few unsettling years and continue to face a multitude of recovery challenges. They are aware that technology brings significant benefits and they risk being left behind by not capitalising on the opportunities on offer.”
Digitalisation is the key to post-Covid survival, recovery, and growth. And with new challenges facing biscuit producers – such as rising energy prices, supply chain disruption and labour shortages – now really is the time to look into the adoption of smart technologies.
16 Kennedy’s Bakery Production October/November 2022
bakeryproduction.co.uk
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