Smart Systems Implementation in UK Food Manufacturing Companies: A Sustainability Perspective

Abstract

The UK food industry faces significant challenges to remain sustainable. With major challenges, such as Brexit, on the horizon, companies can no longer rely on a low labour cost workforce to maintain low production costs and achieve economic sustainability. Smart Systems (SS) is being seen as an approach towards achieving significant improvements in both economic and environmental sustainability. However, there is little evidence to indicate whether UK food companies are prepared for the implementation of such systems. The purpose of this research is to explore the applicability of Smart Systems in UK food manufacturing companies, and to identify the key priority areas and improvement levers for the implementation of such systems. A triangulated primary research approach is adopted that includes a questionnaire, follow-up interviews, and visits to 32 food manufacturing companies in the UK. The questionnaire and interviews are guided by a unique measuring instrument that the authors developed that focusses upon SS technologies and systems. This paper makes an original contribution in that it is one of the few academic studies to explore the implementation of SS in the industry, and provides a new perspective on the key drivers and inhibitors of its implementation. The findings suggest that the current turbulence in the industry could be bringing food companies closer to the adoption of such systems; hence, it is a good time to define and develop the optimum SS implementation strategy.

Smart Systems and Collaborative Innovation Networks for Productivity Improvement in SMEs

“…Application of Time Compression and Design Technologies: the immediate utilization of time compression technologies (additive manufacturing technologies, virtual prototyping technologies etc.) to enable businesses to rapidly respond to customer and market trends and to optimize production through improved resource management and time minimization throughout the value chain [3,70]. Automated manufacturing systems: transitioning from traditional manufacturing systems (computer numerical control systems, semi-automated handling and conveyor systems) to higher level autonomous systems through the use of intelligent robotics and sensor systems and connected to the internet through appropriate CPSs [37].…”

“…The work enabled the team to determine the current state of operational excellence and also the strategic intent of each company in meeting the SS requirements. This provided the authors with an indicator of the strategic intent of the manufacturing SMEs [3].…”

“…Shorter life cycle products, increasingly complex customer requirements, increased legislation and regulation have all resulted in a requirement for organisations to respond on a number of different fronts and on a range of different issues in order to achieve greater productivity [1,2]. As these new demands and drivers take effect, many SMEs, are becoming increasingly isolated from new manufacturing trends and systems [3]. Companies have focused and deployed their resources on current manufacturing issues rather than developing longer term collaborative environments and strategies to deal with the effective implementation and application of new manufacturing technologies and systems [3,4].…”

“…As these new demands and drivers take effect, many SMEs, are becoming increasingly isolated from new manufacturing trends and systems [3]. Companies have focused and deployed their resources on current manufacturing issues rather than developing longer term collaborative environments and strategies to deal with the effective implementation and application of new manufacturing technologies and systems [3,4]. The resulting problem of isolation for manufacturing SMEs is that they are not necessarily aware of the advances in manufacturing technologies that are being developed and implemented in the wider manufacturing industry.…”

“…The resulting problem of isolation for manufacturing SMEs is that they are not necessarily aware of the advances in manufacturing technologies that are being developed and implemented in the wider manufacturing industry. This in turn, can lead to the creation of an environment where smaller manufacturing companies may become uncompetitive when it comes to adopting and realizing the benefits from new and advanced manufacturing systems and technologies [3,5].…”