In 2020, the Northern Ireland Food & Drinks Association (NIFDA) supported by InvestNI commissioned Birnie Consultancy to produce the Advanced Food Manufacturing Report which would focus on the potential of digital technologies to tackle recruitment shortfalls, improve health and safety standards and enhance overall productivity.

The team consulted with 10 Northern Ireland based companies to deliver this report, both conducting one-to-one meetings, completing a comprehensive ‘4Manufacturing’ survey and hosting network meetings with a range of experts in the field.

The final report outlines five specific areas of need: the use of data for management; the key importance of automation to productivity and profitability gains; the availability of training and skills development; the importance of making connections to raise awareness of solutions that can maximise the productivity of food production; and the need for an Advanced Food Manufacturing Network to help to move the sector forwards.

Speaking about the report, Dr Jonathan Birnie said

“Working with NIFDA, InvestNI and the 10 companies as part of the project has only highlighted the work that needs to be done in this area. We recommend that both Government and Business read this report and give it the weight it deserves.”

The Advanced Food Manufacturing Network report can be downloaded on the NIFDA website here.