Full results of FoodProductionDaily.com survey of manufacturing challenges
Market outlook
1. We are more optimistic about economic conditions than a year ago
• Agree 63.5%
• Disagree 28.1%
• Don’t know 6.7%
Other * 1.7%
2. Commodity and packaging material price increases remain difficult to offset
• Agree 79.8%
• Disagree 6.7%
• Don’t know 13.5%
Other 0.0%
3. Cash flow will continue to impact the business negatively in 2011
• Agree 61.8%
• Disagree 20.8%
• Don’t know 17.4%
Other 0.0%
Investment
4. Lack of access to credit limited plant upgrades during 2010
• Agree 50.9%
• Disagree 27.5%
• Don’t know 21.1%
Other 0.6%
5. We will increase production capacity in 2011
• Agree 57.3%
• Disagree 21.6%
• Don’t know 20.5%
Other 0.6%
6. The plant will spend more on robotics next year than in 2010
• Agree 35.7%
• Disagree 35.1%
• Don’t know 26.9%
Other 2.3%
Sustainability
7. Energy efficiency in the plant is a top priority for the company in 2011
• Agree 77.9%
• Disagree 13.5%
• Don’t know 7.4%
Other 1.2%
8. Water savings will inform our sustainability strategy next year
• Agree 66.9%
• Disagree 16.0%
• Don’t know 14.7%
Other 2.5%
9. We will focus on using thinner materials in our packaging in 2011
• Agree 50.3%
• Disagree 28.2%
• Don’t know 20.9%
Other 0.6%
10. We will use more recycled rather than virgin packaging next year
• Agree 51.5%
• Disagree 27.6%
• Don’t know 20.2%
Other 0.6%
Plant Safety
11. We will invest in new methods for pathogen control in 2011
• Agree 42.6%
• Disagree 23.9%
• Don’t know 31.0%
Other 2.6%
12. We will change plant layout and design to improve safety next year
• Agree 51.6%
• Disagree 25.8%
• Don’t know 21.3%
Other 1.3%
13. Hygienic design of equipment will be more of a focus in 2011 than 2010
• Agree 64.5%
• Disagree 20.0%
• Don’t know 14.8%
Other 0.6%
14. The company will opt for third party audits such as FSSC 22000 in 2011
• Agree 39.4%
• Disagree 21.3%
• Don’t know 34.2%
Other 5.2%
Worker skills and recruitment
15. The company will increase staffing levels in 2011
• Agree 37.1%
• Disagree 51.0%
• Don’t know 10.6%
Other 1.3%
16. We have vacancies in engineering and technical roles
• Agree 53.0%
• Disagree 33.1%
• Don’t know 13.2%
Other 0.7%
17. The company will invest in more production staff training in 2011
• Agree 64.2%
• Disagree 17.9%
• Don’t know 15.9%
Other 2.0%
18. The company will be increasing salaries at plant level in 2011
• Agree 33.1%
• Disagree 35.8%
• Don’t know 29.8%
Other 1.3%
* Other represents qualitative responses, which were reflected in our review of the survey published on Monday.
