How Data-Driven Pest Control Will Future-Proof the FMCG Sector

New policies, altered working conditions, changes in customer demands – the causes and effects of the pandemic on the food industry have been felt, discussed and analysed. It has perhaps never been more important to be on top of business risks. What are the most urgent challenges for food retailers and producers today and how can a data-driven pest control system secure that you stay ahead?

Though focus during these unprecedented times have been on short term risks and quick responses, some already ongoing industry shifts have accelerated. Shifts that will continue to re-write the business landscape and challenge food producers going forward.

Let us dive into three opportunities that can set you on the course for success and understand how data-driven pest control can help to build back a more resilient, safer and forward-leaning business.

“Every year, pests cause huge economic losses for food retailers and producers.”

Smart Food Retail & Production Facilities Require SMART Pest Control

Challenge

Digital transformation will continue to accelerate businesses within food retail and production. Automated, IIoT connected and data-driven food retail and production operations enable food producers to stay ahead of their competition. But as operations become more advanced, the stakes become higher and operations become more vulnerable to issues such as pests. Although new technologies are becoming a prerequisite for success, they are also more expensive to run and fix. In order to future-proof your business at high speed, all disruptions and risks need to be eliminated.

Opportunity

Invest in a pest control solution to match the standard of food retail and production facilities of tomorrow, and make sure that your high-tech operations are not compromised by easily avoidable pest problems. Proactivity is key to save costs in the long run. A data-driven pest control system enables early detection through automation, proactive planning and maintenance with the use of data to increase efficiency in operations. With up to 70% less visits by the control technicians, remote control and automation helps you to minimise human presence. This limits the risk for further contamination.

A Changing Regulatory Environment

Challenge

Regulations are becoming stricter in an already adamant sector as of the pandemic. There is increased pressure and focus on food safety in food retail and production, which implies that a lack of control can lead to both reputational and financial losses. Transparency towards consumers at each step of the process will be crucial going forward.(1) Failure to comply to hygiene regulations and practices could harm both current and future business potential or at worst result in legal repercussions.

Opportunity

In an industry where guessing is not good enough, there is a need for a data-driven pest control system that can act fast on early warnings and deal with potential issues before they escalate into costly problems. An intelligent system offers analysis of the situation and can export data needed to present status to an external part. It provides easy documentation that simplifies reporting and audits. A proactive and data driven pest-control solution that is compliant to regulatory demands lets you focus on what really matters.

Higher Demands on Sustainable Practices for Food Retailers and Producers

Challenge

Sustainability is top of mind for most companies today, but perhaps even more for companies within food retail and production that need to limit food waste and stay ahead of tighter regulations on toxins. Each year, rats contaminate and destroy enough food worldwide to feed 200 million people.(2) The connection between food waste and recalls is often ignored, however biological contamination by pests is the most common reason behind product recalls. Not only does it pose a huge financial risk, it could make or break a customer relationship. 21 % of people at the centre of a recall would not buy any product from the same manufacturer again.(3) What used to be an area deemed as a hygiene factor is increasingly thought upon as business critical(4) – an essential part of the decision-making process of the food company of tomorrow.

Opportunity

A key way to minimise waste and product recalls, and thereby sustain customer relationships, is by keeping pests out. In contrary to some sustainability measures that could take years to showcase results, implementing an intelligent pest control system can present improvements within days. Constant monitoring minimises the risk of infestations that could harm the business. Invest in a greener solution to be prepared for increased demand on sustainable practices in the future.

When Guessing Is Not Good Enough

The tale is as old as the book – the defining moment is not about whether you fall, but if and how you stand back up. The same can be said about businesses building back better tomorrow – let the challenges make way for a more sanitary, safe and attractive environment. Safeguarding competitiveness, compliance and audit performances and ensuring a no product recall status will help you to future-proof your food retail and production business – make sure that it is not pests that will compromise your success.

To learn more about SMART, call us on 0800 710 010.

 

1 https://foodindustryexecutive.com/2020/12/4-mega-trends-that-will-define-the-food-industry-in-2021/
2 https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/augustseptember-2012/sanitation-pests-everyday-threats-to-the-human-food-supply/
3 Rise in Food Recalls is a Costly Business – Ravenwood Packaging
4https://foodindustryexecutive.com/2020/10/the-food-company-of-tomorrow/