The F&B sector’s revenue growth has either slowed or even reversed in some categories. In 2024-25, IBIS sector reports disclosed that processed foods and beverages declined by an estimated 1.7%[1] and 0.7%[2] respectively, and even beer manufacturing didn’t escape, the pressure, with revenue falling at an annualised rate of 0.9%[3] over the past five years.
To change the trajectory, it is not just about keeping up with the latest trends; it’s about staying ahead of challenges like supply chain disruptions, sustainability demands, and the constant drive for efficiency. The difference between reacting and thriving often comes down to the technology and insight you bring onto the plant floor.
In response, manufacturers are listening to growing consumer preferences for health, sustainability, and demand for locally sourced products, which is driving innovation and changes across the industry. At the same time, manufacturers are turning to digital technologies to improve efficiency. This strategy helps them navigate supply chain challenges and remain competitive in an increasingly demanding and competitive market.[4]
Real Conversations, Real Pressures
Not just in the hum of pumps or the pulse of batch controllers, but in the mindset of the people running them. There’s a new urgency, one where every production run, every valve, and every sensor is under scrutiny, not just for compliance, but for efficiency, sustainability, and the ability to pivot at a moment’s notice.
As Dr. Kevin Marshall, FNZIFST, put it in his Earle Lecture, “Adopting new technologies is crucial to achieve sustainable practices, meet growing global demands, and maintain competitiveness in affluent, premium markets” (Main, 2024). For many New Zealand food manufacturers, this isn’t theory—it’s the reality they face every day.[5]
On the factory floor, the conversations aren’t about abstract trends—they’re about daily realities:
- Why did that last batch run longer than expected?
- How can we reduce energy use without risking quality?
- What happens if the next shipment of ingredients is delayed?
- Can our legacy systems even talk to the new sensors we need?
For many teams, the answer is found in smarter automation and real-time data. It’s about empowering operators to see problems before they escalate and giving managers the tools to optimise, not just react. Upgrading to intelligent, connected systems isn’t a luxury, it’s the new baseline.
Automation as a Team Player
At Burkert, we are partners on this journey toward smarter manufacturing. Our technologies, from intelligent batch control systems to advanced heat exchanger management powered by electromotive valves, are just the beginning. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to empowering your team. We’re here to help you unlock new capabilities, streamline your processes, and transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth.
- Batch control that makes every litre count, reducing waste and rework.
- Fermentation management that stabilises quality, even when raw materials vary.
- Flowmeters that let you diagnose issues before they become downtime.
And crucially, these solutions are designed for the reality of New Zealand manufacturing: adaptable, robust, and with local support when you need it.
Seeing is Believing
This year at Foodtech Packtech, we’re not just bringing equipment, we’re bringing the plant floor to you. Our interactive display tables let you get hands-on with the tech, simulating real production scenarios. Want to see how a networked valve can help you diagnose a pressure drop in seconds? Or how batch automation can help you hit sustainability and compliance targets, not just talk about them? Step up and try it yourself.
Why Now?
Because the next leap in New Zealand food and beverage manufacturing isn’t about replacing people, it’s about equipping them. The future belongs to those who can marry experience with innovation, who can turn data into action, and who are ready to move when the market demands it.
If you’re tired of articles that talk around the real issues, come have a real conversation with us at Foodtech Packtech. Bring your challenges, your questions, your scepticism. Let’s see what’s possible—together.
Visit Burkert at Foodtech Packtech for a hands-on, operator-focused experience.
[1] IBISWorld. (2025, April). C1113NZ Cured Meat and Smallgoods Manufacturing in New Zealand Industry Report.
[2] IBISWorld. (2025, April). C1211NZ Soft Drink, Juice and Bottled Water Manufacturing in New Zealand Industry Report. IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com
[3] IBISWorld. (2025, July). C1212NZ Beer Manufacturing in New Zealand Industry Report. IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com
[4] IBISWorld. (2025, April). C1199NZ Tea, Coffee and Other Food Manufacturing in New Zealand Industry Report. IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com
[5] Main, A. (2024). A future for New Zealand food – the 2019 Earle lecture presented by Dr Kevin Marshall FNZIFST. Food New Zealand, 24(3), 28–29. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.T2024092800006501602803234