The catalyst for change
BakeryBiz, Nov-Dec, 2020:
In the given scenario, and as a visible post-lockdown impact, even small bakeries have seen the need to automate. While at one end, it tackles the manpower reliability issues, at the same time it also provides an opportunity to efficiently redeploy manpower. Besides efficiently handling the manpower issues, automation will also ensure better hygiene standards and sanitisation practices, along with consistent quality delivery. Following such practices, brand consciousness will be noticed in times to come, and will result in increased business.
Automation has proven to be a sure success formula for improving efficiency, standardising product quality, saving manpower, effective time utilisation and more importantly savings on costs. In recent times, focus on physical distancing measures and hygiene have reinforced the interest of bakers in machinery automation, leading to contact-less operations, right until the time the finished product is placed in the hands of the customer. While interest in automation comes from the benefits that are derived therefrom, the bigger concern at a time when business is not at its best is liquidity and future business sentiments to commit to large investments required for automation.
“People understand the importance of automation and the value of untouched products. Automatic production lines have seen an increase in interest. At the same time, the process automation machinery has also seen substantial interest from the small bakers. Having said that, though there is an interest in the market to go for automation, there are people unable to invest due to liquidity crunch and less confidence in the market due to Covid situation,” informed Dhinagar Vel, Managing Director, Indian Foods. The players in the automation segment have been focusing on providing specific solutions catering to various brackets of the Indian bakers. “Initially, we as an organisation were concentrating more on the hotel equipment side, but the shift towards automation equipment for the food processing industry started in 2016. We are already dealing with brands offering full, middle level and semi-automatic solutions for the bakery segment. These machines are COVI D compliant,” said Rajesh Ahluwalia, Founder/ MD, Total Foodservice Equipment Pvt. Ltd.
Innovation is the key. The industry is going to be seeing innovation in the product offerings from across the country. State specific local produce, which is popular in their respective region, are going to be offered across the country by increased mechanisation aimed towards industrial production, catering to larger audience.
“Lot of new products are going to be seen coming into the market. Fruit-based products, and other products with local modifications would be seen. Ethnic food, coming from various regions of the country (like Bhakarwadi from Pune) will take centre stage in the food processing sector. One has to work one on one to understand the requirements of the bakers and provide specific automation solutions,” added Ahluwalia.
“Increased number of QSRs, food delivery services and other related organisations are looking at more hygienic ways of delivery. More bakeries are now looking at minimising touch and personal interaction with the product, providing their customers untouched, healthy, hygienic baked fare. This increased awareness has been leading to some form of automation in the industry,” informed Niranjith Pravin Dev.R Director, Arun Rega Bakery
Machineries Pvt ltd. Going ahead, health-oriented and safety practices will be mandatory. Even if 15-20 percent of the industry sincerely adopts such measures and makes the necessary changes, they will surely emerge as the catalyst for change that will drive the industry in the future.
