Industry Reports

This white paper provides the industry with insights and findings that explore the issues, latest industry developments, forecasts and trends guiding the investments in packaging and processing equipment and technology in the Snack Foods industry.

Contract packaging (CP) and contract manufacturing (CM) have been steadily growing across consumer goods manufacturing segments. From food to pharmaceuticals, brand owners and large manufacturing organizations are turning to CP/CM partners to handle part or all of their production and packaging needs. While each industry has its own unique considerations, there are several commonalities that speak to all CP/CM organizations.

AI is important for the packaging and processing industry and its potential is revealed as the range of possible solutions expands. Although AI is seen as a relatively new technology, machine learning has been present in a variety of forms for many years. It has now progressed far beyond a theoretical concept, with a host of practical applications of AI throughout the packaging industry.

It is clear that data and technology is playing an increasingly important role across the industry, and there will also be a growing role for AI within packaging and processing. There are varying degrees of engagement with new technologies, with many participants expressing a desire to explore these further, utilizing them to address the skills gaps that continue to hamper the industry, and enhance their business operations.

This white paper covers the craft beer and spirits industries to help better understand the unmet packaging needs of craft producers and the future trajectory of the craft industry as a whole.

Many end-users saw the benefits remote services can provide to their operations during the Covid-19 pandemic and have continued to request remote assistance from their suppliers. This whitepaper explores how end-users are choosing which remote services to use and which they are investing in for the future, what barriers are preventing end-users from adopting some remote services over others, and how remote services can address skills gaps in the workforce.

The importance of communication, involving all relevant stakeholders early in the process, ownership of tasks, and robust planning all came out clearly as key factors in achieving successful vertical start-ups.

Global sustainable packaging policies and swiftly changing domestic legislation are impacting the rate at which manufacturers need to change packaging materials and the discussions revealed clear movement towards more sustainable packaging and practices, such as reducing carbon footprints.

This white paper provides recommendations based on over 30 years of recruiting industry experience and features firsthand accounts from companies in the packaging industry, detailing their resources and strategies for talent attraction, hiring, and retention. Using these insights, your organization will be able to improve your strategic approach to its greatest asset - the people that make up your business

Many consumer packaged goods companies' (CPGs) warehouses are still highly manual and often operating from outdated buildings with unsuitable layouts, causing bottlenecks in their operations. Warehouse automation offers a wide range of opportunities and benefits to CPGs and the third-party logistics companies (3PLs) many choose to carry out direct-to-consumer (D2C) fulfillment on their behalf.

The dairy industry has faced numerous obstacles in the last few years - from supply chain struggles to fluctuating consumer demand, dairy producers have been challenged to maximize efficiency in their operations. Despite these difficulties, the future of the dairy industry is bright – especially for those producers open to innovation and collaboration.