Reston, Va. — Changing retailer demands, eating habits, demographics, regulations and sustainability efforts are common themes in packaging, but they’re especially apparent among bakery & snack product manufacturers. “Bakery and Snacks — Market Assessment 2012,” released this month by PMMI, details the effects of these trends for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as their customers.
Growth Patterns Parallel Demographic Shifts
As reported in PMMI’s “Global Packaging Trends – Global Growth Markets for Packaging” (July 2012), world population growth is shifting to so-called emerging markets such as the Asia Pacific region.
The Bakery and Snacks market report notes bakery and snack products manufacturers will see that growth in action, with 4 percent growth predicted in U.S. sales of packaged snacks through 2015, but 7 percent annual growth to USD$334 billion in global sales of snack foods in the same period. Globally, bakery product sales are expected to increase 4.5 percent annually to USD$410 billion by 2015.
“Globally, regions such as Asia Pacific, Latin America and India are presenting the best scenarios for future growth for snacks and bakery products,” says Paula Feldman, director of Business Intelligence, PMMI. “Our global packaging report noted that by 2015, world population growth will spring largely from the Asia Pacific region, which is expected to see a 160 billion-person increase in that time.
Today, the United States is the world’s largest market for snacks, while European markets top the list for baked goods sales. And while 62 percent of the snack food companies surveyed for this market assessment see Asia Pacific markets as the source of the largest fraction of their sales growth, only 20 percent of bakery companies share that experience.
Custom Packaging is Standard
Historically, changes in consumer eating habits have driven new product development. In 2012, the driving force has shifted to the retailer; many large merchants have their own specifications for the products they carry, Feldman notes.
“In the bakery and snack foods arenas, retailers are specifying package sizes, multi-packs and variety packs to optimize shelf space, and they’re asking for retail-ready packaging for high-traffic areas,” she says. “Convenience and drug stores also have their own sets of requirements, and more than a quarter (26 percent) of respondents are developing packaging accordingly.”
Even dollar stores are making a difference: 27 percent of participants are distributing to dollar stores (and expect that part of their business to grow), and those venues are requesting smaller portions that they can sell for $1.
Retailer demands were cited by 42 percent of respondents as the main driver for changes to primary packaging, and 50 percent said they’re implementing changes in their processing and packaging operations to accommodate retailers’ requirements.
Equipping Manufacturers to Meet Customer Demands
To accommodate the multitudinous change agents in the bakery and snack product marketplace, manufacturers are turning to packaging machinery OEMs.
“Their requests fall into three categories: functionality, support and integration,” Feldman says. “The OEM that wants to meet those needs will do best to build a relationship with the manufacturer and collaborate in the design process.”
This type of partnering will help OEMs better understand needs for machine cleanliness and sanitation, the features and functionality, and automation.
“Today’s baking and snack foods manufacturers want machines that can be flexible and run a variety of sizes, materials and packages; that are easier to clean and operate, ergonomically designed, and reliable. They need OEMs to clearly communicate recommended cleaning schedules and to provide knowledgeable technical support,” she says. “That’s in addition to integrated lines, remote connectivity and the like!”
Go to the Source
With more than 1,800 exhibitors to choose from, snack food and bakery products manufacturers have a rich source to begin forging these OEM partnerships at PACK EXPO International 2012 (McCormick Place, Chicago; Oct. 28–31).
Special features for baking and snack brands include The Baking-Snack Break Lounge, sponsored by Kliklok-Woodman and endorsed by the Snack Food Association (SFA). Use the lounge to exchange ideas with colleagues and business partners — prospective or current. When you need an industry resource, talk to the industry veterans at the “Ask the Expert” desk. And visit the reception on Monday, Oct. 29, 4:30–5:30 pm. (Confirm time).
There’s even a food safety focus — given the significance of the Food Safety Modernization Act, baking-snack professionals will want to stop by the Food Safety Summit Resource Center (Booth E-7748).
The Conference at PACK EXPO features several sessions very likely to be relevant to baking-snack professionals, such as:
•Food Safety/Product Security
•Sustainability/Packaging Materials
•Focus on the Future – Trends and Innovations
•Manufacturing Solutions
Learn more about PACK EXPO and register at www.packexpo.com. Admission to the show floor is $30 per person through Oct. 8, when the price increases to $60. You must be registered for the show to sign up for conference sessions, which are charged separately from your show floor admission.
To purchase your copy of “Bakery and Snacks — Market Assessment,” visit PMMI.org.
About PMMI
PMMI is a trade association of more than 600 member companies that manufacture packaging, processing and related converting machinery in the United States or Canada; machinery components and packaging containers and materials. PMMI’s vision is to be the leading global resource for the packaging and processing supply chain, and its mission is to improve and promote members' abilities to meet the needs of their customers.
PMMI organizes the PACK EXPO trade shows: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, EXPO PACK México, and EXPO PACK Guadalajara ,connecting participants in the packaging and processing supply chain with their customers around the world. Coming Up: PACK EXPO International at McCormick Place in Chicago, Oct. 28–31, 2012; EXPO PACK Guadalajara at Expo Guadalajara, February 27 – March 1; EXPO PACK México 2013 at Centro Banamex, Mexico City, June 18-21.
Learn more about PMMI and the PACK EXPO trade shows at PMMI.org and Packexpo.com.
Source: PMMI
