Why Do Leading Food and Beverage Brands Choose ERP Solutions?

It takes years to build a reputation, but seconds to destroy it! Food and beverage brands in the UK understand this well and therefore constantly strive to produce consistent, high-quality products that comply with all necessary regulatory mandates set by agencies such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). However, like other industries, the food industry faces numerous challenges related to supply chain management, quality control, cost efficiency, and more. To navigate these challenges effectively, food manufacturers require a technological partner, specifically a food ERP system.

Reasons Leading Food and Beverage Brands Rely on Food ERP

• Product Innovation– Modern consumers demand innovative products. Food ERP solutions, such as BatchMaster ERP for food, help brands innovate without disrupting their existing product lines. This allows brands to attract new consumers while retaining their current customer base.
• Inventory Management– Due to constraints such as shelf-life and product expiry, the food and beverage industry requires an efficient inventory management system. A food ERP system not only automatically updates inventory status but also manages shelf-life and expiry dates. The software provides various classifications, helping brands store and manage inventory efficiently. The auto-replenishment feature enables manufacturers to maintain optimal inventory levels and seize every sales opportunity without missing out.
• Recipe Management– Recipes form the core of the food industry. ERP systems help brands develop, store, secure, and refine recipes. The software allows for the comparison of various recipes with different ingredients to create a market-viable and profitable recipe. A well-optimised recipe can positively impact customer acquisition and profitability.
• Production Planning– Food waste concerns in the UK have raised many eyebrows, compelling food brands to take action. Additionally, brands are realising that precise production planning and waste reduction can minimise financial losses, ultimately helping control costs. Food and Beverage ERP Software optimises production planning by scheduling production and procurement based on real-time demand plus supply and enabling batch control to maximise efficiency.
• Allergen Management– ERP software businesses meticulously manage allergens. Brands can manage their separate storage, track allergens, check whether allergens are within permissible limits, and print labels in standard formats. This, together, helps keep eventualities and recalls at bay while building customer trust.
• Compliance Adherence – As mentioned above, the food and beverage industry in the UK must comply with stringent national and international regulations set by bodies such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Food ERP software assist brands in meeting these regulatory requirements. For example, nutritional labelling is mandatory under UK law. A food ERP system facilitates compliance by accurately calculating and displaying nutritional values, ensuring all labelling adheres to UK-specific standards and consumer transparency requirements.
• Cost Calculation – Calculating formula and product costs can be complex. A food ERP system simplifies this process by providing cost calculations for individual formulas and products. Brands can compare different formulas, packaging, price and material combinations to determine the most viable, customer-centric, market-friendly, and profitable option.
• Finding Alternatives – To further reduce costs or develop products for specific consumer segments, ERP systems facilitate ‘what-if’ analysis within formulas. This analysis helps brands assess the impact of alternative ingredients on both the recipe and cost, enabling informed decision-making. For example, sugar-free ice cream uses a sugar alternative that neither triggers insulin nor significantly increases costs while maintaining a sweet taste.
• Quality Control – Quality is non-negotiable. Food manufacturing ERP solution integrate quality control measures at every stage of the supply chain, ensuring that only quality-approved ingredients proceed through production, resulting in high-quality products.
• Product Consistency – Consistency is key to delivering a uniform consumer experience. Food ERP systems store information about approved vendors and suppliers to ensure that only high-quality ingredients are used in production. Additionally, the software can store Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that production processes remain identical across all facilities, resulting in consistent products in every batch and every location.

Which Food and Beverage ERP to Select?

With numerous options available, BatchMaster manufacturing ERP software in UK stands out with over four decades of experience. Many top food and beverage brands worldwide rely on it. As a pioneer in formulation management, BatchMaster ERP is available in cloud, on-premises, and hybrid models. To learn more, Contact us today.