Available today, CRB's newest Horizons report captures how
automation, digital maturity shapes F+B as it wrestles with dynamic
forces shaping labor and consumer expectations
KANSAS
CITY, Mo., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CRB, a
leading provider of engineering, architecture, construction and
consulting solutions to the food and beverage industry, today
releases its latest Horizons report -- focused on digital
manufacturing and the rise of automation, control systems and data
analytics as producers seek new efficiencies in a dynamic, highly
competitive environment.
Available today as a free download, the Horizons: Digital Age
of Food Manufacturing report is based on a rigorous survey of
more than 300 manufacturing leaders across the industry. The
resulting responses and analysis from CRB's F+B subject matter
experts go deep on digital manufacturing and its implications for
food and beverage suppliers. The report captures perspectives from
across the manufacturing chain – including operations, plant
engineering, procurement, and executive leadership in the C-suite –
and delivers perhaps the most holistic snapshot of how F+B makers
are achieving digital maturity to bring their products to market
safely, profitably and at the quality consumers demand.
The report finds 37 percent of respondents identified themselves
as early adopters of Industry 4.0, boasting technology integrations
and predictive, real-time analytics in their plants. More than a
fifth of respondents, however, said they are grappling with digital
islands and disconnected pockets of automation -- underscoring
concerns over the cost and complexity of keeping pace with rapid
digital transformation.
In the report's opening passages, Jason
Robertson, CRB's Vice President of Food & Beverage,
empathetically frames the industry's steady but sometimes halting
push toward digitalization, noting that conferences and workshops
are filled with talk of "Industry 4.0" even if many would struggle
to explain its concepts and key advantages.
"The term has become a catch-all for shiny new technologies,
making it seem both inevitable and impractical – a difficult
combination for any manufacturer trying to figure out exactly how
to move their business forward," Robertson writes. "We offer this
report as a searchlight … by exploring Industry 4.0 not as a
catch-all term but as a concrete objective enabled by realistic,
incremental steps."
Additional key findings and actionable insights found within the
report's 85 pages:
- More than 7 in 10 respondents are targeting the highest levels
of digital maturity within the next three years, with roughly the
same number ranking productivity as the most attractive operational
advantage of automation and digital manufacturing.
- Amid mounting pressure from regulators, retailers and
customers, food and beverage manufacturers are striving to
demonstrate progress on sustainability. The report shows 97 percent
of survey respondents are partnering with outside experts to bridge
knowledge gaps on environmental, social and governance issues
(ESG), while roughly three of every four respondents reporting the
use of tax credits to fund ESG initiatives.
- As manufacturers account for regulatory changes, unpredictable
labor markets, and fluctuating supply and demand, better than half
of Horizons respondents are prioritizing
instrumentation, automation, and integration. Additionally, about
three-fourths reported utilizing or planning for digital
technologies to enable enterprise-level data sharing, bridging the
gap between boardroom decisions and real-time operations on the
plant floor.
- Despite rising interest rates and inflation, one out of every
two survey respondents plan to invest in automation-related
projects in the next three years. By prioritizing better
instrumentation and automation, manufacturers can extract accurate,
real-time data from existing assets and unlock more capacity
without significant capital investments.
About CRB:
CRB is a leading provider of
sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting
solutions to the global life sciences and food and beverage
industries. Our more than 1,300 employees provide world-class
solutions that drive success and positive change for our clients,
our people and our communities. CRB is a privately
held company with a rich history of serving clients throughout the
world, consistently striving for the highest standard of technical
knowledge, creativity and execution.
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chris Clark, CRB Communications
chris.clark@crbgroup.com
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SOURCE CRB Group Inc.