Food and beverage manufacturers are optimistic about 2014, but shy away from a major boost to their hiring and capital spending plans. Grant Thornton and Food Processing magazine’s 2014 Annual Food and Beverage Manufacturing Trends Survey also revealed increased throughput growth and renewed interest in sustainable manufacturing practices. This infographic highlights Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance and green manufacturing as two emerging issues from the 2014 survey. See the full survey: http://gt-us.co/1gxGMvZ

1. 2014 Annual Food and Beverage Manufacturing Trends Survey
3 KEY INSIGHTS
Top 3 energy management strategies
7 cost-effective ways to “green” your facilities
1. Use automatic or motion-activated lights
2. Switch to LED light bulbs
3. Train employees on reducing waste
4. Partner with local greenhouses that may use your waste
for composting
5. Replace air conditioning units with high-volume,
low-speed ceiling fans
6. Control pests with organic repellents
7. Consolidate your shipping methods
27%Energy audits
Amid optimism,
hiring and spending
are trailing
optimistic about 2014
up sharply from 60% last year
planning to hire
new staff
down from 37% last year
projecting capital
spending increase
up slightly from 35% last year
67%
31%
37%
Dexter Manning
National Leader
Food and Beverage Practice
“A bumper corn
crop and more stable
commodity prices are
reenergizing the
industry outlook.”
FSMA compliance:
Start preparing now
think their Hazard
Analysis and Critical
Control Points (HACCP)
plans may not be
rigorous enough
have not assessed FSMA’s
impact on operations
Top 5 food safety and sanitation practices
Employee training
HACCP plan
Third-party certification
Improved sanitary equipment
Improved pest control
70%
49%
45%
35%
34%
Tony Perazzo
Audit Partner
Food and Beverage Practice
“Two things you
should start doing right
now: Document your risk
assessment processes
and prepare for new
audit requirements.”
1 in 8 1 in 10
Green
manufacturing
is here to stay
About the survey
The year’s survey involved 148 Food Processing magazine readers who responded to an invitation to complete the
web-based questionnaire in late November and early December 2013. Respondents represent a wide spectrum of
food processing sectors, with the greatest concentration (12%) in meat/poultry/seafood and 7% each from baked
goods, dairy, and further processed and specialty foods. One in eight respondents work at facilities with headcounts
of more than 500, with the rest evenly split between plants with 101–500 workers and those with 100 or fewer.
Content in this publication is not intended to answer specific questions or suggest suitability of action in a particular
case. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult a Grant Thornton LLP client service partner or
another qualified professional.
© 2014 Grant Thornton LLP | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd
45%are actively engaged
in conservation
Dexter Manning
National Leader
Food and Beverage Practice
“Sustainability is
an investment
that will save
you money.”
Recycling energy/
cogeneration
22% Negotiating with
energy providers
17%