Machinery Update May June 2020

www.machineryupdate.co.uk MACHINERY UPDATE 5
PPMA matters
Responding to
‘new normal’
work patterns
Tim Paul
CHAIRMAN, PPMA GROUP OF ASSOCIATIONS
(INCORPORATING PPMA, BARA AND UKIVA)
Given the COVID-19 situation that we now find ourselves,
it’s befitting that the theme of this edition is about
convenience foods and logistics, as well as many news
stories about how the packaging and processing industry has
been responding to customer needs.
Before I continue, though, I am sure you will join me to thank
NHS workers and those on the frontline whose support has been
unwavering during this national crisis. The global pandemic
has resulted in unprecedented financial and logistical issues
for the manufacturing community; not since the 1940s have
so many been waylaid and inconvenienced for so long.
Despite the upheaval, I have been speaking to many
manufacturers who have been flat out trying to fulfil their
orders. If the supermarkets report an upsurge, it’s no surprise
that the supply chain is going to experience the same demand.
Remote commissioning
and maintenance of equipment
will quicken the acceptance of AI
One of the things that I am sure will come out of this virus
are new ways of working for everyone. For example, in this
issue we report on machinery manufacturers that are not only
maintaining and fixing equipment remotely through AI, but
are also commissioning new equipment this way because
of the current travel restrictions. It would be remiss of me to
make a sweeping statement to say that things will change,
but inevitably there will be a shift in how companies go about
their daily business once we return to ‘the new normal’.
And this will surely include keeping spare machines and parts
that engineers can access at short notice.
Ultimately, all roads lead to the consumer; whether in
terms of choice, availability and price. Convenience foods
certainly have played their part during the current crisis; as
has shopping on-line which our warehousing and e-Commerce
feature highlights. And it is interesting just how quickly the
narrative has changed at a time of need in terms of single use
plastics. During this pandemic, where would we be without
plastics packaging which not only helps to preserve foodstuffs
by extending shelf life, and therefore cutting trips to the
supermarket, but it also helps to reduce food waste?
There is of course a balance to be had, and it’s important not to
lose sight of what we need to achieve now and how we can work
together to influence the future for the better.
n
IMPROVE FOOD
PRODUCTION LINE
EFFICIENCY
High pressure washdowns
SKF Food Line hygienically
designed bearing unit
High shock loads
SKF Stainless steel Food
Line bearing units
High Humidity
SKF Food Line stainless
steel deep groove ball
bearing with solid oil
0800 8766 441
enquiries@acorn-ind.co.uk
www.acorn-ind.co.uk
®