The Importance of Data for Confectionery Businesses to Gain Insights and Clarity

Within every sector in the food industry, companies are increasingly adapting to the demands of the market—simply because of the necessity. Companies need to be more flexible, which requires a different way of thinking and the necessary adjustments. And this is especially true with the trends in the sweets and confectionery industry. 

This industry includes all businesses that work on the production and manufacturing of chocolate, sweets and other sugar-based products, and is characterized by a generally stable growth. There is a clear, constant need for companies within this sector to continue to innovate in order to distinguish themselves and to respond to rapidly changing consumer demand. This demand centers around a desire for more plant-based products, lower sugar products and sustainable ingredients and packaging among other things. In short, confectionery is a market that is constantly moving.

More Transparency Within the Confectionery Sector

The constant movement within the market forces producers to adopt a flexible approach to their supply chain. Due to issues like increasingly shorter lifecycles for sweets and other confectionery and continuous product and packaging innovations, large stocks cannot be built up. This means producers have to be flexible. 

However, there is also direct pressure from consumers for manufacturers to adapt their production and product portfolio. For example, consumers want more healthy alternatives that contain less sugar and fewer calories. Another important aspect is sustainable production along the entire chain, and labels such as fair trade and Bio are rising considerably in popularity. This requires a high degree of transparency within the chain and checks on safety and quality from the producer to be able to offer such guarantees.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Confectionery Industry

While companies already had strict procedures with regards to hygiene, food safety and quality, the current coronavirus crisis forces companies to adapt further. Production lines equipped with plexiglass screens, adjustments of the routing of products and employees wearing face masks (in addition to the previously common hair and beard nets) are a few examples of the additional precautions. 

All the while, production has had to continue as usual for the most part in order to continue to meet the demand of retailers. Further difficulties have been presented by lower staffing rates due to illness or absence. Initiatives that have come forward as a result involve, for example, tweaking personnel or production, including outsourcing work to other colleagues within the sector. Having regimented shift staff has also helped to reduce the number of people each worker comes into contact with, and to more easily track these close contacts if there is a positive test in the workforce.

Importance of Insight and Accuracy within the Supply Chain

There is now even more pressure on the supply chain to continue to work safely, accurately and efficiently. Raw materials, processes and personnel must be monitored at every step in the supply chain. This is to avoid any mistakes or worse, but also to continue to boost the efficiency of production. For this, all systems and processes must be digitally connected and integrated in order to provide up-to-date insight and manage both opportunities and threats.

Tackle the Challenges

Aptean's food-specific software is built to help companies in the chocolate and confectionery sector operate more efficiently, comply with global food safety standards and grow their businesses. Learn more about how our food and beverage software solution, Aptean Food & Beverage ERP can help your confectionery business achieve greater insights, Business Intelligence and growth.