For many years, Canadian food and beverage manufacturers have enjoyed a relatively ‘recession-free' existence in our economy.  As an essential sector to everyone's lives, global forces have been slower to impact food sector processors and manufacturers than it has on others such as forestry/wood products, textiles or automotive.  Food prices in Canada have climbed steadily and Canadians continue to pay for these essential products, regardless of price.

In the past few years however, Canadian food companies have begun to experience a new reality in their business lives.  Price has become a more prevalent factor, as foreign produced food & beverage products are increasingly making headway into Canadian markets.  Products previously made in Canada now contain ‘made in' designations from countries such as China and South Africa... if they openly list the country of origin at all.

The new reality food companies are experiencing has resulted in a need to become better at what they do, improve best practices, and connect with other manufacturing subject-matter-experts to help rapidly increase their competitiveness globally. 

As a result, through extensive planning and discussions with many food sector stakeholders, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) has developed and launched an innovative Food Sector Manufacturing Network, to help F&B companies enhance their global competitiveness, protect jobs and engage leading-edge professional peer-to-peer knowledge networks. This is being achieved through a new consortium-model hybrid network, which includes next generation Web 2.0 networks and labour-pool building initiatives designed specifically for this important sector.

EMC officially launched the Food Sector Network initiative earlier this year and recently hosted a cross-province trek, meeting with representatives throughout the Food and Beverage Industry in a series of Strategic Interest Group (SIG) discussions with industry senior managers. The events were hosted to gain insight for the development of networking and learning opportunities and to map out a game plan for the coming year.

Free F&B Engineering & Maintenance Resource

Click on the image at left to access or subscribe to this new resource publication.

On May 6th, EMC's Food Sector network initiative turned up its resources another notch, with the launch of a new digital publication focused on Engineering and Maintenance for the Food & Beverage sector.  Food & Beverage Engineering & Maintenance is a new publication developed by CLB Media's PEM Magazine (Plant & Engineering Maintenance) in cooperation with Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium. 

This is just one example of the high-impact resources, expertise and services EMC is working to bring to the food industry, through this special initiative.  Working closely with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) representatives, economic development and municipal partners to provide resources for this endeavour, EMC met recently with processors/manufacturers across the province, who represent a variety of products, corporate sizes, stellar best practices and some unique challenges.

A variety of issues and topics were discussed, including: food safety, consumer awareness, inventory management, maintenance, continuous improvement and lean implementation, packaging and labeling, export and import development, transportation and logistics, government regulations and legislation, human capital, innovation and utility challenges.  A detailed needs analysis was completed, compiling literally dozes of hot items to be dealt with in each of these categories.  The input received from the food & beverage manufacturers was incredible.  The Food Sector network has also begun its Web 2.0 network, with several blogs and forums already launched and participating companies are already applying these thoughts, ideas and best practices in their businesses.

Strategic Interest Group (SIG) events also officially underway. Participating f & b manufacturers have chosen to begin focusing on Continuous Improvement, with the first presentation and discussion on topics related to Lean Implementation and Sustainment issues.  For upcoming SIG events, EMC has arranged for one of North America's leading Lean/C.I. experts - Chad Metcalf, President, Value Stream Solutions - to provide a thorough learning and networking session for the group.

EMC's "Implementing & Sustaining Improvements in the Food & Beverage Industry." 

Continuing in June, EMC will host additional events throughout Eastern, Southwestern and Northern Ontario focused on Food Safety and General Safety Practices, followed up by events later this year, focused on Building Competitiveness and Labour Relations... plus many other topics key to food manufacturers.

EMC's Food Sector Manufacturing Network is available to all food and beverage processors/manufacturers and their immediate supply chain. In addition to the new resources and learning activities, companies will also engage peer-to-peer roundtable networking, best practice sharing, plant tours and hear from both industry and subject-matter-expert speakers who can help address the opportunities, challenges and interesting issues identified during each of the brainstorming sessions.

With the strategic involvement of OMAFRA, the provincial government is providing funding for Ontario food companies (participating in the network) to benefit from training and internship incentives. 

EMC's Food Sector Network initiative is being facilitated by Bren McKeachnie (Senior Community Development for EMC), who is coordinating the grass-roots consortium group, as well as the Strategic Interest Group events and online networking activities.

Food and beverage sector companies interested in learning more about this important resource initiative can visit www.emccanada.org or contact Bren McKeachnie directly through her EMC profile or bmckeachnie@emccanada.org