Food and Drink

Sector Overview

• Manufacturing
• Processing
• Retail / FMCG
• Chilled
• Fresh produce
• Dairy
• Ambient
• Ready made meals
• Meat
• Beverages

The Food and Drinks Industry is the UK's largest manufacturing sector with a turnover of circa £70b and accounting for 15% of total manufacturing sector.

It employs over 500,000 people and consists of just under 14% 9 of all manufacturing workforce in the UK (Food and Drink Federation)

Organisations in this sector are faced with increasing challenges from gaining efficiencies through the supply chain, new product development, meeting increasing consumer demands for quality, healthier alternatives, choice and value for money, the shifting power to the retailer and the impact of regulation.

With the further decline of what are small margins, gaining a competitive edge through improved technology, improved processes, effective procurement and people management are seen as essential.

With the availability of a migrant work force providing cost effective labour has come increased training burdens especially in the areas of health and safety.

Merger and consolidation is ever apparent, and international expansion is seemed as essential to growth in many areas.