The food manufacturing industry faces ongoing challenges that require innovative asset management strategies, including the adoption of advanced technologies like CMMS and AIP to optimise operations and enhance financial performance.
The food manufacturing industry, like many others, has adapted to unpredictable challenges in recent years. Following a year of net growth, the industry now faces ongoing hurdles related to global economic conditions, including taxes, tariffs, and labour shortages. As noted in Deloitte’s 2025 industry outlook, businesses will need to explore alternative processes to foster growth beyond traditional pricing strategies.
Central to these strategies is the effective management of physical assets. Food manufacturers are required to meticulously track assets throughout their lifecycle, including maintenance schedules and repair needs. Historically dependent on pen and paper, many companies in the sector may be missing out on significant financial advantages offered by modern technology. Implementing advanced tools can enhance operational efficiency and support informed financial decision-making.
One such tool is a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). This digital solution assists food manufacturers in optimising operations, especially in large facilities where managing numerous pieces of equipment can be daunting. The older manual methods may prove insufficient and often lead to wasted resources on maintenance tasks, reporting, and work orders. A CMMS enhances equipment uptime and productivity by alerting teams to maintenance requirements and creating a comprehensive trail of scheduled work.
By adopting a preventive maintenance approach, manufacturers can better manage work orders and inventory, ultimately diminishing asset downtime and resulting in substantial financial savings. As assets function correctly, employees are diverted less to troubleshooting and repairs, enabling an increase in production and improved financial outcomes from reduced maintenance expenses combined with heightened sales.
In conjunction with CMMS, Asset Investment Planning (AIP) is another crucial tool aimed at bolstering financial performance. This approach involves gathering data regarding capital expenses and developing proactive maintenance budgets, organising information from various sources including CMMS and facilities assessments. Such a strategy allows companies to shift from reactive budgeting to a more strategic approach, reducing unexpected financial surprises by providing the financial department with clear insights into asset needs and their maintenance costs.
Furthermore, proactive budgeting ensures alignment between leadership and facilities management, enhancing overall financial performance. By having detailed awareness of asset lifecycles and maintenance necessities, manufacturers can judiciously plan for repairs and replacements while also managing costs effectively. Such foresight mitigates the risk of financial strain from unforeseen expenses.
An illustrative case involves a manufacturer that continuously replaced a specific part of machinery every 12 weeks, resulting in significant downtime and repair costs. By utilising maintenance tracking data, the team concluded that investing in new equipment would be the more economical choice over time, despite the higher initial outlay. This informed decision saved the company thousands in ongoing repair costs.
As the food manufacturing industry enters 2025, traditional methods of profitability will no longer suffice to maintain competitive edges. Emerging technologies that facilitate smarter resource use present opportunities to navigate challenges more effectively. Best practices that streamline asset management and investment prioritisation will be essential for optimising operations and maintaining viability in the market. The push towards enhanced efficiency must be a core objective of both technological and organisational priorities in the forthcoming year, shaping the future of the industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/food-manufacturing-trends-2025-outlook/737518/ – This article discusses trends in the food manufacturing industry for 2025, including supply chain security, sustainability, and food safety, which aligns with the challenges faced by the industry due to global economic conditions.
- https://www.tbmcg.com/resources/blog/2025-strategies-for-growth-in-food-and-beverage-manufacturing/ – This blog post highlights strategies for growth in the food and beverage manufacturing industry in 2025, focusing on labor challenges and automation, which relates to the need for alternative processes to foster growth.
- https://foodinstitute.com/focus/navigating-food-supply-chain-challenges-key-strategies-for-2025/ – This article provides strategies for navigating food supply chain challenges in 2025, emphasizing resilience and end-to-end visibility, which supports the importance of effective asset management.
- https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/consumer-and-industrial-products/2025-food-manufacturing-outlook.html – Deloitte’s industry outlook for 2025 likely discusses the need for businesses to explore alternative processes beyond traditional pricing strategies, aligning with the article’s focus on asset management and technology.
- https://www.maintenanceconnection.com/what-is-cmms/ – This resource explains what a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is and how it can enhance operational efficiency, supporting the article’s discussion on CMMS benefits.
- https://www.plantengineering.com/articles/asset-investment-planning-aip/ – This article discusses Asset Investment Planning (AIP), highlighting its role in strategic budgeting and financial performance, which aligns with the article’s emphasis on proactive maintenance budgets.
- https://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2023/food-manufacturing-trends.html – This article explores trends in food manufacturing, including the adoption of emerging technologies to improve efficiency and competitiveness, reflecting the industry’s shift towards smarter resource use.
- https://www.industryweek.com/operations/maintenance/article/21257151/why-preventive-maintenance-is-key-to-reducing-downtime – This article emphasizes the importance of preventive maintenance in reducing downtime and improving financial outcomes, supporting the article’s discussion on adopting a preventive maintenance approach.
- https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/articles/2023/food-manufacturing-industry-trends.html – This article discusses trends in the food manufacturing industry, including the need for enhanced efficiency and strategic asset management, aligning with the article’s focus on optimizing operations.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source mentioned in the article, though it does not provide specific information on the claims made about the food manufacturing industry.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references Deloitte’s 2025 industry outlook, indicating recent and relevant information. There are no clear indications of outdated content.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative, so there is no risk of recycled or unverified quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a specific industry publication, which may have a targeted audience and expertise. However, it is not a widely recognized mainstream news source like the BBC or Financial Times.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about using technology to improve financial performance in food manufacturing are plausible and align with industry trends. The narrative provides logical examples of how such strategies can benefit companies.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and relevant, with no direct quotes to verify. The source is specialized but not as broadly recognized as major news outlets. The claims are plausible and well-supported by logical examples, contributing to a high confidence in the overall assessment.