Adapting to the speed of change…
Our programme this year will focus on the vital role played by engineers and technology, in helping food companies adapt to the speed of change – in technology advances and the skills needed to work with new technology, as well as in consumer demands, and the need for more sustainable production.
8.15am: Registration and coffee
9.00am: Chairpersons welcome: Our regular chairman, Chris Buxton from CB Consulting, will set the scene for the day.
9.20am: Nigel Hillyer - Feed Milling Engineer & Operations Consultant: Nigel will talk about the agritech experience of automation/digital technology adoption and the huge benefits it has brought to this sector arguing that the food manufacturing sector should be looking to follow the same example.
9.45am: Joe Taylor, Maintenance Methods Engineer at Nestle Purina UK Manufacturing Operations: Joe will be discussing the benefits of the implementation of smart devices for predictive maintenance and energy monitoring across all of the production lines at Purina’s Wisbech factory.
9.55am: Steve West, Director of The Pudding Compartment: Steve will highlight how taking the first steps into digitalisation needn’t cost the earth – explaining the benefits experienced at The Pudding Compartment since the adoption of smart sensor technology.
10.20am: Coffee break and networking
10.55am: Bertrand Emond – Membership Ambassador & Culture Excellence Lead Campden BRI Group: Bertrand will discuss the importance of having a strong and positive safety and quality culture to drive positive behaviours in, across, and throughout a business.
11.20am: Panel discussion: Chairman Chris Buxton
An expert panel will discuss how technology adoption can help food and beverage manufacturers keep up with the pace of change – what challenges does technology adoption bring and how might these challenges be addressed.
12.45pm: Lunch and networking
1.45pm: Engineering skills focus: Chairman Cian Short, Early Careers Manager at Kepak Group
The expert panel will first discuss the importance of apprentices for the future of engineering and the food and beverage industry as a whole:
Cian will set the scene and outline his experience with apprenticeships
A senior engineering manager will outline the role apprentices have played in supporting and moving businesses forward.
Daniel Minto, a Maintenance Technician at Nestlé will explain why he chose an apprenticeship and why engineering
Cathy Hough Group Early Careers Manager at Bakkavor alongside a spokesperson from Birmingham Metropolitan College, will discuss the importance of utilising partnerships, through business networks and providers, to support successful apprenticeship programmes.
The skills focus will conclude with a Q&A session with audience participation encouraged!
3.45pm: Engineering skills session concludes
4.00pm: Food Processing networking/mixer event, with drinks and nibbles in the MTC Foyer to celebrate achievement in our industry.
5.30pm: Event closes