AUTOMATION AND AI IN BAKERY


customers achieve over 90% availability with less than 10% waste, supported by automation that frees staff to focus on customers instead of constant planning.” The benefits are measurable and multi-


faceted. Planning efficiency improves dramatically, with tasks that once required hours of manual input now completed in a fraction of the time. Product availability increases while waste decreases, often by 5–10%, while top-performing stores see availability rise by up to 12%. Staff, relieved from complex planning duties, can focus on customer service, a critical advantage in the context of ongoing labour shortages. Enhanced forecasting also supports profitability, enabling bakery managers to weigh availability against waste, test scenarios before implementation, and make data-backed decisions to optimise product mix and margins. “Beyond operational efficiency, the


solution fosters innovation,” Melanie notes. “With data-driven insights, bakeries


can develop their product


ranges more strategically, account for regional differences, and plan promotions more effectively.” Implementing AI is not without its challenges. Data quality is paramount: accurate forecasts depend on complete, clean sales and product data, meaning smaller bakeries often need to invest in building a solid digital foundation. Equally important is employee trust and acceptance. AI is a support tool, not a replacement, and successful rollout depends on comprehensive training and guidance. Integration


with legacy ERP systems


can require effort, but experience shows that the benefits quickly outweigh the implementation work. Looking forward, AIPERIA anticipates that AI will become the standard in bakery operations within the next five years. The sector is moving away from static order lists toward dynamic, data-driven systems capable of real-time decision-making. Each store will have its own optimised product mix, continuously adjusted in response to actual sales and external influences. AI will also increasingly intersect with automation in bake-off areas, allowing ovens to be managed intelligently to balance energy efficiency with product quality. Sustainability is a guiding principle for the


company. Accurate forecasting reduces food waste, optimises raw material use, improves transport efficiency, and lowers unsold


product volumes. Flexible target control enables bakeries to align ecological and economic objectives, meeting both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. “Sustainability is not a by-product but a


core objective of AIPERIA,” Melanie says. “When the right quantity is produced, raw material usage decreases, transport becomes more efficient, and less unsold products end up in the bin. Flexible target control allows bakeries to align ecological and economic goals. For many customers, sustainability is a key selling point, and AI enables bakeries to meet this expectation transparently and measurably.” Through AI-driven insights, intelligent planning, and operational automation, AIPERIA showcases how bakeries can deliver higher quality, reduce waste, and operate with unprecedented efficiency, while empowering employees and supporting sustainable growth.


AI at the heart of the modern production line A similar philosophy underpins AMF Bakery Systems, one of the most prominent engineering firms in commercial baking. Known for its high-speed production lines, AMF is now embedding AI directly into its equipment infrastructure. AMF Bakery Systems has advanced its vision of the “lights-out bakery” by introducing its latest AI tool known as STAQ— a system designed to “See, Think and Act” in real time across industrial baking lines. According to industry coverage at the iba 2025 trade fair, STAQ offers full-coverage quality inspection, defect detection and trend analytics,


34 • KENNEDY’S BAKERY PRODUCTION • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025


INTELLIGENCE IS TRANSFORMING BAKERY


OPERATIONS. BY ANALYSING MILLIONS OF DATA POINTS, AIPERIA CAN PREDICT REAL DEMAND UP TO 21 DAYS IN ADVANCE —


MELANIE ADELHARDT, AIPERIA


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