< Previous60 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022 Fortress launches foot safety digital transformation playbook at PPMA show Taking lessons learned from the pandemic, food safety custodian Fortress Technology will present a framework of new support services, digital tools, real-time data capture and machinery features at PPMA Total Show 2022. Helping food processors to adapt their resources to the new landscape and build a more robust, flexible and future-proof food safety playbook. Collaborating with global audit specialist AIB International, Fortress has created a modular cultural food safety roadmap underpinned by a new package of digital tools to engage workforces. Targeting growth opportunities, production inefficiencies, QC reporting and audit transparency, the ‘Food Safety Cultural Playbook’ focuses on eliminating workplace hierarchies. Creating a culture where EVERYONE is a food safety custodian that ‘works like no-one is watching’ every day. For the first time, the Fortress Service team will be on hand at PPMA to consult on how to implement these digital transformation tools, deploy the best technology based on contamination risks and fast-track efficiency improvements. Tel: 01295 256266 Web: www.fortresstechnology.com/en-uk/ Email: info-UK@fortresstechnology.com. Stand: B01 Scott Automation Call by to discuss your next palletising project with Scott at the PPMA Total Show Visit stand H50 in Birmingham from 27 - 29 September to see the complete portfolio of palletising solutions and case studies, including the latest PAL 4.0 range. The Scott Automation team will be happy to discuss your upcoming automation projects or just to have a chat with you. 3 reasons why you should take this opportunity and meet with Scott: * Let their expert team share their advice based on decades of experience - they do clever things * The new generation palletiser PAL 4.0 can be a real game changer for your end of line * Find out how their unique multiline palletising systems can save you a lot of valuable space The team looks forward to seeing you in Birmingham. +44 (0) 1384 210 278 info@scottautomation.co.uk www.scottautomation.com Stand: H50 Riggs Autopack depositors and transfer pumps on Show at PPMA Total Riggs Autopack Ltd is a British manufacturer of depositors, transfer pumps and conveyor filling systems, supplied primarily to the food production industry. Due to the high- grade build of the machines, they also supply many other industries such as pharmaceutical, hygiene, industrial, health & beauty, pet food and automotive. Riggs Autopack will be showing a variety of their Model 1000 semi and fully automatic depositors and transfer pumps, designed for small, medium or large-scale producers. The Model 1000 depositors provide damage free depositing of hot or cold liquid, semi-liquid and suspended solid products, and accurately fill most types or size of container. The Model 1000 transfer pumps take products directly from cooking kettles, tote bins, mixing vessels or IBC, and provide damage free transfer of even delicate goods. If you’re seeking a high-quality machine to accurately fill jars, bottles, pots, tubs, trays, buckets, jerry cans, pouches or bags, visit Riggs Autopack on Stand A21. Tel: 01282 440040 Email: info@riggsautopack.co.uk Web: www.riggsautopack.co.uk Stand: A21 Loma Systems to showcase RUN-WET® series at PPMA ‘Check & Detect’ specialists, Loma Systems, will be showcasing its exciting new RUN-WET® systems at this year’s PPMA show, held on 27-29 September at the NEC, Birmingham. On display for the first time at a UK show, the company will have the IQ4 RUN-WET® Conveyorized Metal Detector and CW3 RUN-WET® Combo System on stand, both specially designed to offer the ultimate in hygiene and cleaning efficiency for high-care environments. For food manufacturers and processors, Loma Systems will be using the show to highlight their TRACS (Trending-Reporting-Analysis-Capture-Software). With food traceability playing a critical role in the global market and continuing to grow in complexity, TRACS can efficiently monitor production to easily identify performance issues. And for visitors looking for pharmaceutical solutions, Loma will be exhibiting their IQ4 LOCK-PH Metal Detector, designed for inspecting tablets and capsules, with the ability to inspect up to 30,000 tablets/capsules per minute. Tel: 01252 893300. Web: www.loma.com/en-gb Stand: E34 58-63.qxp_Layout 1 01/09/2022 09:18 Page 3Advanced Engineering MIDDLETON LTD Inline High Shear Mixer Top Entry High Shear Immersion Mixer Bottom Entry High Shear Mixer Sealed Bearing Mixer 3 Stage High Shear Mixer Dispersion Mixer Fluid Mixers AdPro Trent Industrial Estate | Duchess Street || Shaw | Lancs | OL2 7UT | UK t: +44 (0)1706 759003 | e: info@aemixers.com | w: www.aemixers.com mixing is our business See us at Stand No. A76 58-63.qxp_Layout 1 01/09/2022 09:18 Page 462 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022 Robatech Gluing Technology At this year’s PPMA Total show the Robatech team will be demonstrating new ways of sustainable adhesive application. In addition to their proven gluing systems, Robatech will be exhibiting a system with a collaborative robot as well as their latest Vivo 18 Coating Head. When it comes to the application of silicone release liners and tear strips to shipping packaging, the new Vivo 18 coating head is the coating head of choice: It applies PSA hotmelt at speeds up to 250 m/min with great precision. In combination with the quantity control integrated into the melter, adhesive savings up to 30 % are possible Based in Basildon, Essex, Robatech Gluing Technology are the exclusive distributors of genuine Robatech equipment, spare parts and service to customers in UK and Ireland. With high quality hot-melt and cold gluing systems for packaging, graphics, automotive, building, woodworking, pharmaceutical and many other industries, the local Robatech team will be on hand at the show to discuss your gluing requirements and challenges. Tel: +44 (0)1268 490 035 Web: www.robatechGT.com Email: info@robatechGT.com Stand: C72 Cama to display 12 robot pick & place line with built in Augmented Reality functionality Cama Group will be offering visitors to the PPMA show the chance to experience, see and touch a robotic line of 12 Triaflex robots designed to pick and place products in trays, a solution well-suited to confectionary, bakery and a variety of other sectors. The line comes with an Industry 4.0 package that includes a Digital Twin Augmented Reality. The machines that will be exhibited at the show are a fully integrated robotic solution, with a very small footprint and a cell of Cama’s own 12 Triaflex delta robots working in co-flow, capable of packaging about 1000 products per minute. These robots feature an anti-collision system, which allows them to work in a very small space without interfering with each other’s functions. Cama’s Industry 4.0 capability also includes an augmented reality package where through the use of a tablet, overlays for user information relating to maintenance, changeover and spare parts are brought to life for the user as an augmented reality view on the tablet’s screen. Tel: +44 (0) 1793 831111 Web: www.camagroup.com Email: cama-UK@camagroup.com Stand: B42 Cobalt Systems Leading barcode labelling automation manufacturer, Cobalt Systems is set for an action-packed PPMA TOTAL exhibition, as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary and reveals its next generation print and apply labelling technology. As a UK manufacturer of print and apply labelling solutions, Cobalt Systems will be demonstrating an abundance of automation options at PPMA TOTAL 2022, including its existing, well-adopted range of barcode labelling solutions and its brand- new range, due for release in early 2023, plus verification and validation applications featuring technology from its long- standing partner, Zebra Technologies. Tel: 01270 539800 Email:sales@cobaltis.co.uk Web: www.cobaltis.co.uk Stand: B72 Foenix Coding Foenix Coding is a leading manufacturer whose expertise embraces the entire design process from initial concept, product design, and engineering, through to both the components being sourced, and manufacture in the UK. We offer innovative inkjet printers for in line product coding, marking, (printing) and identification. For over 7 years Foenix has built a world-wide reputation for quality and creativity, combined with cost effectiveness and low maintenance in the design of our printers. Our ingenious system delivers a significant reduction of components, simplifying the manufacturing process whilst enhancing reliability, making Foenix an inspiring worldwide player. Foenix printers offer cost conscious solutions for coding of primary and secondary packaging, thanks to the deployment of cutting edge technology. Our printers are genuine alternatives for Label, TIJ (Thermal Ink Jet) and CIJ (Continuous Ink Jet) printers. The design ensures that they fit easily into any coding and marking solution product range. Tel: +44 1932 701449 Web: www.foenixcoding.com Email: sales@foenixcoding.com. Stand: H18 58-63.qxp_Layout 1 08/09/2022 09:09 Page 5Exhibitor List ACCRAPLY EUROPED92 ACER MACHINERY SOLUTIONSD80 ACOPIAC90 ACORN INDUSTRIAL SERVICESJ40 ACROVISIONA100 ADPAK MACHINERY SYSTEMSC60, E36 ADVANCE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS LTDH98 ADVANCED CCTVA112 ADVANCED DYNAMICSA30 ADVANCED ENGINEERINGA76 ADVANCED LABELLING SYSTEMSA90 ADVANCED TOOLING SYSTEMS GROUPG74 AETNA UK LTD (ROBOPAC)H90 AGRIMECH,A71 AJS CONTROL & AUTOMATIONE100 ALL-FILL INTERNATIONAL,A36 ALLPACKE114 ALPHABOND TECHNOLOGIESC24 ALRAD IMAGINGJ76 ALTECH UK LABELLING TECHNOLOGIESA61, H14 AM LABELSA23 AMBAFLEX SPIRAL CONVEYOR SOLUTIONSA46, B32 AMP AUTOMATIOND34 ANTON PAAR (UK)A63 APEX DYNAMICS LTDH21, H60, H12 APOLLO ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGYF74 APOLLO VTSG44 ARICODE PRINTING TECHNOLOGYD44 AROLA82 ASTRAPACJ54 ATS - TANNER BANDING SYSTEMS UKB60 ATWELL SELF-ADHESIVE LABELLERSD66 AUTOMATION EXPERTSF02 AUTOPACKH24, J20, H21 AUTOPAK MACHINERYG82 BAKING EUROPE / EBIM REPORTF121 BAUMERC84 BECKHOFF AUTOMATIONF60 BERGER TOOLSJ01 BERLIN PACKAGINGC120 BESTPUMPH10 BETA TOOLS (UK)J58 BIG RED INDUSTRIESE26 BILWINCOB100 BIZERBA (UK)D74 BOATO PACKE46 BOPLAN UKC106 BRADMAN LAKEB70 BRILLOPAKF30 BST DETECTABLE PRODUCTSJ30 BUTTKEREITA51 BW FLEXIBLE SYSTEMSD90 CAMA GROUPB42 CAP CODERD42 CEIAE10 CHAMUNDA PHARMA TECHG99 CIMLOGICB124 CJ WATERHOUSEE42 CKF SYSTEMSG38 CLEAN AIR GROUPA16 CLEARVIEW IMAGINGE24 CLEGG FOOD PROJECTSD03 CLEVERTECHE56 CMEC22 COBALT SYSTEMSB72 CODEOLOGYB62, B62 COMPLETE LEASING SOLUTIONSK19 CONCETTIB44 CONDAIRA32 COTSWOLD MECHANICALH34 COVEYAF70 COX & PLANTG50 CRC INDUSTRIES UKA67 DATATEAMF111 DETECTAMETD01 DIMACO (UK)A42 DOTECE32 DRIVES & CONTROLSA85 DURHAM DUPLEXK16 DUSTCONTROL UKE30 DUTTON ENGINEERINGB05 EAST MIDLAND COATINGSH20 EDDING (UK)A13 EFAFLEX UKJ72 EHCOLOG70 ELCOMAN SRLG34 ELESA UKE05 EMIRATES PRINTING PRESSE40 ENDOLINED50 ENGELMANN & BUCKHAMC32 ENGILICOH52 EPSON (UK)A52 ERAPA (UK)H64 EUCHNER (UK),E68 EUROPHARMA MACHINERYA72 EUROROLLE62 EXCEL PACKAGING MACHINERYB40 EXCELERATEB104 FAEDAH SOLUTIONSD60 FEGG46 FERCELL ENGINEERING LIMITEDH54 FESTOD100 FISCHBEIN - SAXONB30 FLEXCOF86 FLEXLINK SYSTEMSJ90 FMC GROUPF01, F10 FOCKE MELER GLUING SOLUTIONSD54 FOENIX CODINGH18 FOOD & DRINK INTERNATIONALB123 FORMERS INTERNATIONAL EUROPEK30 FORTRESS TECHNOLOGY / SPARC SYSTEMSB01 FOUNTAIN FOOD MACHINERYE16 FRIEDHEIM INTERNATIONALF20 FRISTAM PUMPS (UK)E110 FROMFROIDE86 G&S PENRITHG94 GAINSBOROUGH ENGINEERINGC92 GAINSBOROUGH INDUSTRIAL CONTROLSC50 GEA UKD120 GENESIS PROCESS SOLUTIONSB111 GIMATIC UKD76 GLOBAL PAKH58 GOLDCREST LABELSJ52 GOODWIN ELECTRONICSK10 GORDIAN STRAPPINGH80 GRUNWALD UKH40 GUYSON INTERNATIONALA15 HARFORD CONTROLC82 HARTINGE03 HAZEL 4DA94 HEPCOMOTIONB64 HERMA UKA12 HIWIN TECHNOLOGIESC44 HMS INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS LTDE82 HOLMACHC30 HSM (UK) LTDH42 HYCONTROLJ02 I.H.S.D62 IBIS PACKAGING SOLUTIONSC94 ICOTEKD26 IDEM SAFETY SWITCHESG34, F42 IFM ELECTRONICB14 IKO NIPPON THOMPSON EUROPEG40 ILAPAKD10 ILPRA (UK)D30 IML GROUPG102 INDUSTRIAL WASHING MACHINESH82 INOXPA UKE90 INTAMACC32 INTEGRATED AIR SYSTEMSH44 INTEGRATED GLUEING TECHNOLOGYF44 ISHIDA EUROPEC80 IWK UKA83 IXON,,E66 JENTON INTERNATIONALA50, A42 JEROS (UK0A84 JOHN R BOONEA11 KARMELLEE34 KASON EUROPEF24 KB PACKAGING,G62 KECOL PUMPING SYSTEMSH30 KEMTILEB94 KENRAY GLOBALF34 KEYMAC PACKAGING SYSTEMSB12 KMG SYSTEMSD52 KRONES UKE44 KTEC GROUPA41 LAFERT ELECTRIC MOTORSA24 LAKO TOOL & MANUFACTURINGD24 LAMONDE AUTOMATIONF32 LAN HANDLING TECHNOLOGIESE50 LANDFILL ALTERNATIVESA93 LASER LINESG72 LECHLERH22 LIFT SAFEJ60 LIGHTHOUSE (UK)K18 LINAK-UK LTDH84 LINE EQUIPMENTD02 LiveBuzz Demo ExhibitorA123, A24, A25 LOGOPAK INTERNATIONALD60 LOGTEKB66 LOMA SYSTEMSE34 LONGFORD EUROPE UKA74 MACSA ID UKD72 MAGNUM MATERIALSA81 MANIFATTURA TUBI GOMMAE92, F92 MARCOTE UKE60 MARDEN EDWARDSA80 MARIANIE94 MARKEM-IMAJEC70 MARTEK INDUSTRIESJ12 MAZIAK COMPRESSOR SERVICESG32 MECHAN CONTROLSF84 METROL SPRINGSK14 MILLROOM MIXING MACHINESF105 MIL-TEK UKJ50 MINEBEA INTEC UKB20 MOODY DIRECTJ44 MOSCA DIRECTA60 MOUNT PACKAGING SYSTEMSA62 MPAC GROUPD22 MTC LIMITED,H32 MULTIPIX IMAGING COMPONENTSA55 MULTIPONDC40 MURZANH56 NERAK-WIESEE64 NEWCODE PARTNERSHIPD82 NEWTEC ODENSE (UK)C42 NORDSON (UK)B92 NORGRENH72 NULOGYB106 OEESYSTEMS INTERNATIONALF36 OEM AUTOMATICA70 OLSEN ACTUATORSK71 OLYMPUS TECHNOLOGIESG12 OMORI UKG20 OMRON ELECTRONICS UKB34 ONROBOT A/SB110 OPTIMA PACKAGING MACHINERYE96 PACE MECHANICAL HANDLINGG14 PACKAGING AUTOMATIOND40 PACKLINE MATERIALS HANDLINGE80 PALAMATICE22 PAR GROUPF80 PARAMOUNT PACKAGING SYSTEMSC10 PARTNERS IN PACKAGINGA34 PAYPER,C46 PENMANN CLIMATIC SYSTEMSF101 PENN PACKAGINGA22 PENNINE INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENTK20 PFM PACKAGING MACHINERYC20 PM CONNECTIONSH62 POLYTIJ UKJ56 PPMA GROUP OF ASSOCIATIONSC130 PREMIER LABELLERSD84 PREMIER PUBLISHINGA91 PROLOGIK AUTOMATIONE100 PROXES UK & IRELANDC74 RARUK AUTOMATIONE20 RAUPACKE112 RDM TEST EQUIPMENT LTDA61 REALITY FINANCEG36 REDZONEC100 REECO AUTOMATIONB32, A46 REFLEX LABELSG60 REISER UKC110 RIGGS AUTOPACKA21 RM GROUP UKH70 RM SEALERSA14 ROBATECH GLUING TECHNOLOGYC72 ROTECH MACHINESA31 ROTZINGER PHARMAPACK GMBHB03 ROVEMA PACKAGING MACHINESF50 RULMECA UKF82 S4 ENGINEERINGE100 SAMUEL GRANT PACKAGINGJ32 SCANWARE ELECTRONIC GMBHG96 SCHNEIDER ELECTRICE120 SCHUBERT & SALZERG30 SCHUR STAR SYSTEMSB90 SCOTT AUTOMATION,H50 SERVICE & CALIBRATION SOLUTIONS (UK)A20 SHARP SYSTEMSJ80 SHEMESH AUTOMATION UKD12 SHUTTLEWORTH EUROPEG80 SILVERSON MACHINESE52 SOFT ROBOTICSH60 SOLLAS UKC12 SOVEREIGN LABELLING MACHINEA44 SPIROFLOWF24 SPOOKFISH INNOVATIONSF38 SPRINGVALE EQUIPMENT LTDD22 STELLAR TECHNIKJ03 SWITCHBACK GROUPG52 SYCAMORE PROCESS ENGINEERINGF94 T FREEMANTLEB10 TAVILD70 TAWI UK / PIABB112 TECHNOLOGY CONTAINERC54 TELSONIC (UKG52 TENDRING PACIFICC14 TENEO (UK)G54 TEST EXHIBITORTest01 THE CONFIG TEAM,K30 THE GSH GROUPA104 THERMAL PRINTER SUPPORTJ66 THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFICC104 T-MARK,G42 TOOLRITEG92 TORQ PACKAGINGH36 TUV / SUDE48 ULMA PACKAGINGB80 UNITECH ENGINEERINGD11 UNIVERSAL FILLING MACHINEJ10 UPM CONVEYORSJ42 VALCO MELTON UKF90 VAN DER GRAAFG90 VEGA CONTROLSC52 VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIESE70 VIKING MASEKA66 VISUAL COMPONENTSF22 VOLKMANN UKK12 WAGOE84 WALTONS PUBLICATIONSA88 WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS NEWSH92 WDS COMPONENTSF03 WENGLOR SENSORICA110 WESTERN BUSINESS MEDIAA122 WIELAND ELECTRICG10 WINKWORTHA40 WIPOTEC-OCSC122 WIRE MESH FABRICATIONSA65 WITTENSTEINE54 WOLF PACKAGING UKD20 WRAP AND PACKA26 YAMATO SCALE DATAWEIGH (UK)B50 YILMAZ UKF40 YM PACKAGINGF12 YOLOA64 YORKSHIRE PACKAGING SYSTEMSA10 YTRON-QUADRO (UK)H16 ZAKKA MULTITEC UKE12 58-63.qxp_Layout 1 01/09/2022 09:18 Page 664 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022 Manufacturers of depositors & filling machines for the food production industry Tel: 01282 440040 info@riggsautopack.co.uk www.riggsautopack.co.uk Visit us at stand A21 www.tendringpacific.com Dansensor gas flushing and leak detection equipment – high performance with market leading, innovative sensors and real time data streaming. Help finding your leakers See us on stand C14 WORLD LEADERS IN POWDER FILLING SOLUTIONS ADVANCING AUGER TECHNOLOGY SINCE 1984 ALLFILL.CO.UK INTERNATIONAL www.fdiforum.net NOVEMBER £3.50 STERLING Ingredients for success Ingredients for success Make the right Marketing decision! Environmental Spotlight INTERNATIONAL www.fdiforum.net OCTOBER £3.50 STERLING News The natural choice The natural choice 01.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2019 13:58 g INTERNATIONAL Call today on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fdiforum.net evolutionbps.co.uk Food Personal Care Household Chemical Pharmaceutical Beer Cider Wines & Spirits Liqueurs Water Soft Drinks Innovative Bottling & Packaging Solutions SEE US ON STAND E14 64-65.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2022 13:48 Page 1Food & Drink International 65 www.fdiforum.net PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022 YOUR ADHESIVE APPLICATION SPECIALIST ¯ĕŜĕťūŜÑťŜťÑıñ ƶƱ robatechGT.com +44 1268 490 035 A new generation of maintenance free inkjet printers Coding and Marking Made Easy foenixcoding.com Visit us on Stand H18 Visit us on Stand H18 BAG SEALING www.rmsealers.co.uk RM Sealers remain a leading British manufacturer and supplier of high quality Bag Sealing Machines, also known as Rotary Band Sealers and Impulse Sealers. Tel: +44 (0)1442 843387 Email: enquiries@rmsealers.co.uk The proven rotary heat sealer for superior seal quality and appearance. The complete guide to the pharmaceuticals industry www.pbiforum.net Visit us on stand B123 We can help you get your message across to an informed and interested audience, in print and online. Tel +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk 64-65.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2022 13:48 Page 2OMRON Q&A What is the big problem facing the labour industry? One of the biggest topics in the food and drink sector is the skills shortage, especially in a post-Brexit and post- Covid world. Workers want more pay, more flexibility, and a career they are more passionate about. It’s fair to say the skills shortage facing the industry is at critical level, with a talent gap across a range of professions. The biggest concern is a divided workforce, where each group contributes to the industry success with differing, apparently opposing, skill sets. In the food manufacturing industry, this divided workforce poses a significant challenge to testing timeliness. Latest figures show a ‘chronic shortage’ of labour when it comes to lower skilled roles, with around 290,000 full-time workers having left the sector since the start of the pandemic, 67% of companies now facing shortages in seasonal labour and 72% in unskilled roles such as pickers and packers. Fewer people can, in theory, result in delays in the manufacturing process, delays in getting product out the door, and increased cost for storage. In practice, the way forward is to establish a balanced medium between a human workforce and new ways to automate manual processes with zero touch solutions. This will help and protect employees, optimise processes and improve product quality. How can technology help to improve working conditions? As a company’s most valuable assets, employees must reap the benefits of any implementation of technology. It’s important to devise strategies for deploying or retraining them to carry out more value-adding tasks. The numerous manual tasks in the production environment create an enormous cost burden for manufacturers as they tie up valuable staff resources, impede efficiency, hygiene and safety compliance and introduce unnecessary risks. Many routine tasks can rapidly become boring or frustrating, it becomes clear that manufacturers’ key assets are not being used to their full potential. But which processes should be automated to improve efficiency, safety and sustainability? Examples of repetitive manual tasks include sorting and classifying goods; and aligning, orienting, filling and labelling containers. Others include lifting and handling boxes and cartons; replenishment; moving finished goods; and quality inspection and warehousing. As employees interact with machines and stand for many hours, there’s an increased risk of postural harm or accidents – which can also reduce productivity. Repetitive processes must also become more efficient. Robotics and automation solutions can help by transporting, sorting or palletising loads, both in mass and customised production. For example, fully automated solutions can be used in high-speed lines. These include industrial robotics, high-speed pick-and- place applications, smart conveyor belts, integrated machine robot control, and data analysis at machine level (AI). How does this benefit manufacturers and employers as well? Zero touch strategies help to make companies more competitive and future-proof, reducing recalls and protecting their brands. For example, a Q&A Beating the skills shortage Garry Lewis, Market Development Manager for FMCG looks at the bigger picture of today’s workplace dynamics and shows how a blended working approach, using a combination of automation and zero touch solutions, together with a human workforce can work together to benefit the industry and its end users. 66 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2022 10:10 Page 1OMRON Q&A major challenge today is to provide consumers with safe, sustainably sourced and healthy food. Product quality and safety must meet increasingly strict regulations. Meanwhile, consumers are demanding product, supplier and supply chain transparency. Traceability in food manufacturing is one such solution that can provide the peace of mind to both manufacturers and consumers. One of the main things mandated by food and beverage regulation is traceability, the practice of maintaining thorough records on the origins and whereabouts of products and raw materials by scanning printed barcodes, direct part marks (DPMs) or radio frequency identification (RFID) tags throughout the production process and the supply chain. From raw materials supplier to production line to supermarket to customer, the creation and distribution of a particular food item should be as transparent as possible. Food and beverage manufacturers also benefit directly from traceability protocols that minimize the occurrence and effect of costly issues such as product recalls by providing real-time data on supplier materials, processes and machinery involved in production. These protocols can significantly reduce cost of a recall by isolating tainted items and making it unnecessary to pull large amounts of non-tainted product off the shelves. It can also help improve product quality. In what way can automation improve product quality? The more often employees touch a product during manufacturing, packaging or labelling, the more likely it is that recalls or returns will occur. Damaged packaging or non-compliant labels are also areas where improvements could be made. To avoid contamination and soiling, goods and raw materials could be sorted or transported mechanically rather than manually. Labelling and quality control can be handled by automated systems, cameras and robotics to minimise human contact. Innovative camera solutions can also detect contaminants on products or in containers much more accurately than employees. High-performance inspection systems provide support; and a single controller can take over various tasks at different locations and times, which isn’t possible for employees. Another risk is biological contamination. Robotics can eliminate direct contact with the product. In mass production lines, this can be achieved with high-speed industrial robots, integrated automation systems and high-performance inspection systems. In specialised lines, cobots equipped with smart cameras ensure hygienically clean pick-and-place processes. The smart camera technology combines quality control, code and digit reading in a single step. AI-supported automated and scalable quality control ensures increased accuracy, as errors are no longer overlooked. In summary, for the food and beverage industry, a committed workforce is absolutely integral. Being able to work seamlessly, quickly and efficiently is vital to success. To overcome the skills shortage in a post-Brexit, post-Covid age, it’s not just about looking within, but also thinking differently, understanding the bigger picture and starting to embrace the opportunities of working with new technologies and zero touch solutions. For more information visit www.industrial.omron.co.uk, call +44 (0)1908 258 258 or email at uk@omron.com Food & Drink International 67 www.fdiforum.net 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2022 10:10 Page 268 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net LONDON PACKAGING WEEK E asyfairs will host London Packaging Week at Olympia, London, on 21 and 22 September. As a vibrant new home for collaboration, discovery, and innovation for the capital’s packaging community, it will have a special focus on premium and everyday food and drink with its co- located events PCD and Food & Consumer Pack. The rebrand represents an exciting evolution of the long- established Packaging Innovations & Luxury Packaging show. The event will host more than 180 exhibitors and a free-to-attend seminar programme. Two exhibitors showcasing innovations are TIPA Compostable Packaging and Polygiene UK, both of which are showing at Food & Consumer Pack. Packed Show Floor Many of the event’s exhibitors will use the platform as the perfect opportunity to launch their latest innovations. For example, TIPA Compostable Packaging will join the Food & Consumer Pack show floor to debut its fully home- compostable transparent laminate, T.LAM 608. The product gives end consumers authority over their own waste management as it is home compostable, whilst offering the same barrier and transparency as other compostable laminate solutions. Polygiene UK will showcase its Polygiene Biomaster antimicrobial and Polygiene Verimaster security technology. Its antimicrobial technology protects against microbial growth, giving durable product protection without affecting recyclability. Its security technology introduces an additive used for quality control and anti-counterfeit purposes. Joining Premium Luxury Drinks (PLD) will be Proper Goose to highlight its new sub brand, Bottled Goose. Its new venture offers a complete bespoke service for glassware, bottles, plastics, and cans, with a range of printing options including matte, gloss, and gradient effects. Seminar Content London Packaging Week will also present a curated seminar lineup, with curated content for FMCG professionals on the Food and FMCG Future Makers stage. Here, professionals can gain a complete insight into the future of food and everyday product packaging with sessions from leading names including: Nestlè, DEFRA, WRAP, Unpackaged, OPRL, and Appetite Creative. Content will also take place across the Luxury Unboxed stage and the Beauty and Drinks Innovators stage. The Pentawards will deliver a further six exclusive Capital of Design sessions and the popular The Big Debate series will return to discuss important industry topics, ‘Will the sustainability agenda survive inflation in 2022?’; Presented by partners OPRL & The FPA. Josh Brooks, Marketing and Community Director for Easyfairs’ Packaging Events, comments: “We are excited to bring an all-new look to our London event. Whilst Packaging Innovations & Luxury Packaging London provided a unique meeting place for packaging designers, technologists, and suppliers in the capital for 10 years, it is time to begin a new chapter for London’s packaging community. Our dedicated event for FMCG professionals means that London Packaging Week becomes the place to be for emerging packaging trends and technologies.” To register your interest to attend London Packaging Week, please visit www.londonpackagingweek.com or to enquire about exhibiting, contact the show team on +44 (0) 2088 438 800 or PackagingUK@easyfairs.com. London Packaging Week Creates a New Home for Food & Drink Professionals 68.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2022 10:11 Page 1Food & Drink International 69 www.fdiforum.net FUTURE FOOD FORUM 2022 The Future Food Forum 2022 is hosted by the UAE Food and Beverage Manufacturers Association; it aims to connect and develop the food and beverage manufacturing industry and leaders and empower industry growth. The outlook for the food and beverage manufacturing business in the region is positive. Following a successful second edition at Expo 2020 Dubai, this year’s event runs under the theme ‘Transforming the future of food and beverage manufacturing’, where global leaders will address the industry’s latest challenges, opportunities and future. A new and innovative outcome-driven format is introduced to engage the senior delegation in key debate, ensuring all attendees to the event are inspired and equipped with fresh ideas central for business development and understanding. The agenda focuses on the critical issues and opportunities in the food and beverage industry, grouped to follow a logical sequence across the two days. Speakers have been selected based on their thought leadership contribution and ability to present their subject in an inspirational and compelling manner. The event in Dubai will provide a rare and valuable opportunity to engage with an expected 600+ delegates from all over the world, but also to directly establish a presence in the MENA region, at a time where the scope and importance for food and beverage industry is very promising. Thanks to the increase in the population, per capita disposable income, food consumption is increasing and at the same time going through a change in consumption pattern due to new dietary habits and also health consciousness, which is creating demand for unique and diverse foods. Regional food manufacturers have to play a massive role in overcoming the ever-increasing dependency on imported foods which is often leading to food shortages and pricing issues. Government stakeholders need to work with the local manufacturers and Future Food Forum 2022 Taking place on the 5-6th October in Dubai, UAE, the Future Food Forum 2022 will bring together regional ministers, senior government officials, business leaders, academia, and representatives from across the food and beverage manufacturing sector. For more information visit www.futurefoodseries.com value-added resellers to create the right balance. A combination of all these factors open up the need for a platform that brings together all stakeholders of the food business in the MENA region today to examine and answer some of the critical challenges faced by the food and beverage manufacturers today. The forum will discuss how regional, corporate and government institutions face different issues by the food and beverage industry. Furthermore, with interactive panel sessions, CEO roundtables, and other activities, Future Food Forum 2022 strives to become a one stop platform to learn the best practices by being actively a participant in such an event. 69.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2022 10:28 Page 1Next >