Coca-Cola Enterprises invited a few of us along to see their stand, which has a sort of iPad table showcasing the company’s impressive advances in recycling, water saving and energy saving in-plant, with an important message to young people to consider working with them as a career option.
“Manufacturing may not be the sexiest end of the drinks industry,” explained VP public affairs and communications, Julian Hunt, “but there are jobs here and we need young people with the right combination of skills.”
The only other food and drink company out of the 40 on display was Mars Chocolate with its stand, ‘From bean to bar’. That’s not to say there wasn’t a great deal of relevant innovation here. X-ray inspection specialist Mettler-Toledo, for instance, had an interactive game asking you to spot the contamination in a can. You can see the December issue of Beverage Innovation magazine for latest updates on inspection and quality control.
Siemens had some smart graphics explaining MRI scanning (magnetic resonance imaging) and Xaar has developed drop-on-demand inkjet technology eliminating wastage.
Other companies, such as Andar, Optos and Ceravision, all have new ideas that may transcend industry sectors, and you can have fun while you learn here, including having a go at landing a plane.
Perhaps it’s time to brush off the doom and gloom purveyors and be inspired by these manufacturing developments. It’s certainly reassuring to see such impressive levels of innovation, and this exhibition makes you aware that so much is going on right now in NPD, even as you read this.
Claire Phoenix is managing editor of Beverage Innovation magazine.
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