Key findings shaping the food and beverage industry this year and the strategies you need to ride the optimism wave in a balanced, effective way. Data taken from Food Processing magazine’s 2015 Manufacturing Trends Survey.

1. 2015 Food and Beverage
Manufacturing Trends Survey
Optimism with a side of hope
grantthornton.com/2015foodtrends

2. 2
INTRODUCTION
Every year, Food Processing magazine's Food and
Beverage Manufacturing Trends Survey examines
the leading trends shaping the food and
beverage industry.
What's noteworthy about 2015 and beyond?
And, more importantly, how can your company be
successful?

3. Trend #1: Optimism permeates
the industry.
3
INTRODUCTION
76% are optimistic about 2015,
up from 67% in 2014.

4. Trend #2: Focus on innovation.
4
INTRODUCTION

5. Trend #3: Companies are hiring.
5
INTRODUCTION
36% are planning to hire new staff,
up from 31% in 2014.
View the infographic >

6. Compared to the prior year,
in 2015 food and beverage
manufacturers expect to:
6
INTRODUCTION
• Expand in-house technical training
• Hire more line operators for
semiautomated tasks
• Outsource more job functions

7. But finding skilled talent is
a persistent challenge.
7
INTRODUCTION
1 in 3 companies plan to partner with
community colleges and participate in
campus recruitment to boost hiring
efforts.
See what else companies are doing
to boost hiring >

8. Trend #4: Automation.
8
INTRODUCTION
Plans to automate the entire production line
have more than doubled compared with 2014.
See a breakdown of automation plans >

9. Of course, innovation and
automation require spending.
9
INTRODUCTION
Case in point:
46% are planning to increase
capital spending, up from 37%
in 2014.

10. Trend #5: Sustainability
matters.
10
INTRODUCTION
1 in 3 companies say green initiatives are
more important in 2015 than in 2014.
Top 3 energy management strategies
Reductions in electricity usage 39%
Efficient lighting 29%
Energy usage monitoring 18%

11. Trend #6: Food safety
remains leading issue.
11
INTRODUCTION
But companies embrace more action,
less talk than last year:
• More than twice as many companies report
IFS Food Standard certification.
• Fewer say food safety is their top concern.
Get the numbers >

12. How does your food and beverage
company stack up against those trends?
Talk to us to find out more about the changes that are
shaping the industry in 2015 and beyond.
12
Dexter Manning
Practice Leader
Food and Beverage
Grant Thornton LLP
T +1 404 475 0061
E dexter.manning@us.gt.com
Jeff Pera
Managing Partner
Northern California
Grant Thornton LLP
T +1 415 365 5490
E jeff.pera@us.gt.com