04 February 2025: IFE Manufacturing 2025, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, is set to deliver a dynamic and thought-provoking programme of content on its Trends & Innovation Platform.
Taking place from 17-19 March at Excel London, the stage will be the go-to destination for discussions on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, allergen management, and branding, alongside prestigious awards ceremonies celebrating industry excellence.
One of the key sessions will be ‘AI in Manufacturing: Driving Innovation, Efficiency, and Resilience’, where Bertrand Emond of Campden BRI will moderate a panel featuring Paul Wilson of Scorpion Vision and Simon Brentnall of BFFF. The session will delve into how AI technologies are being harnessed to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and build resilience in the face of an increasingly complex manufacturing landscape.
In a timely and critical discussion, ‘Allergens: Avoiding Contamination and Recall – A Case Study’ will explore best practices for managing allergen risk and preventing costly product recalls. Moderated by Rachel Ward of Exponent International Limited, the panel will include Gill Dando of RQA Group and Tina Potter from the Food Standards Agency, with a keynote address by Jatin Patel of FGS Ingredients, sharing insights from a real-world case study.
The session ‘Strengthening the Links: Building a Resilient Food & Drink Supply Chain’ will provide invaluable strategies for navigating supply chain challenges, a topic that remains a top priority for manufacturers in the current climate. Peter Wortsman of European Food and Farming Partnerships will lead the discussion with panellists Duncan Rawson (EFFP), Francisco Martin-Rayo (Helios), and Tom Maidment (Hilton Foods).
Branding and its vital role in innovation will take the spotlight in ‘Using Branding to Supercharge Your Innovation’. Bob Bayman and Danielle Horsley of Elephants Can’t Jump will deliver a fast-paced session packed with actionable insights.
Commenting on the session, Bayman says: “As the world of food and drink looks to the next wave of innovation, there has never been a more important time to ensure that strong branding is being used to help drive innovation’s success. In just 30 minutes, we’ll extract ten top tips from household brands that anyone in innovation will not want to miss.”
Sustainability will also feature prominently on the agenda in ‘Driving Sustainability: Transitioning to Net Zero in Food Systems’. Moderated by Isabel DiVanna of the Carbon Trust, the panel will feature Jason Danciger (Hana Group), Kate Cawley (Future Food Movement), and Sarah Wakefield (Eating Better), who will discuss actionable strategies for achieving net-zero goals and transforming food systems.
“How the food and drink industry responds to the climate and nature crises will determine much about the future of their businesses and the planet,” says Wakefield. “I am excited to share ideas on how to tackle it and learn from the insights of other panellists and attendees.”
In addition to these insightful sessions, the Trends & Innovation Platform will host two prestigious awards ceremonies: the World Food Innovation Awards, in association with FoodBev Media, and the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards, in association with the Institute of Food Science & Technology, celebrating the cutting-edge achievements of companies driving the future of food and drink manufacturing.
IFE Manufacturing takes place alongside IFE, The Pub Show, HRC, and International Salon Culinaire from 17-19 March at Excel London. Learn more about everything happening as part of this year’s event, and register for your complimentary trade ticket, at ifemanufacturing.co.uk.