A new US Horizons report from CRB, a major international food and beverage production facilitator, finds that petfood manufacturers are actively responding to add capacity that meets consumer demand for high-quality products, driven by the desire to facilitate the ‘humanisation of petfood.’
Even as supply chain risks, labour shortages and rising costs present stout challenges, CRB’s newest Horizons report finds established companies and start-ups alike are chasing consumers who increasingly demand the food they feed their pets matches the quality and manufacturing standards of food they’d feed themselves.
The report, released in May of 2022 by CRB – a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food and beverage and life sciences industries – is built on the survey responses of 300 petfood manufacturing leaders.
Horizons features analysis by CRB’s authoritative corps of subject matter experts who share insights on issues ranging from the sourcing of alternative proteins and adapting processes for sustainability, efficiency and quality, to embracing integrated project delivery solutions that raise capacity without sacrificing quality or schedule.
“At stake is nothing less than a projected US$275 billion, the expected annual value placed on the pet care industry by 2030,” Tim Barba, CRB’s Chief Operating Officer, Global Technical Operations, writes in the opening passages of the report.
“To get their share, manufacturers are feverishly expanding and modernising their production capacity, exploring new segments and aligning their products with the qualities prized by ingredient-conscious consumers.”
Among the essential insights contained in the Horizons report:
Product innovation:
Petfood manufacturers face the difficult task of balancing premium formulations with acceptable selling prices, expanding beyond bulk kibble and experimenting with alternative ingredients. CRB experts examine these shifts and offer solutions for manufacturers unsure of their next steps.
Processing:
Process teams are embracing innovation to find new ways to optimise existing methods. The report examines this quest for getting more from every piece of equipment.
Project execution:
More than half of Horizons survey respondents plan to embrace integrated project delivery to address automation and sustainability in petfood plant design.
Packaging:
While respondents have prioritised packaging as their top capital expense objective for the next five years, how can they ensure the investments will address rapidly changing market conditions?
Operational improvements and efficiencies:
The report provides practical insights for petfood manufacturers as they seek to align capital spending strategies with operational goals while future-proofing operations.
Quality and safety:
Petfood manufacturing is setting new standards for all food manufacturing regarding quality and safety. The report looks at this trend and how it will impact the future of a maturing petfood industry.
Sustainability:
While companies strive to hit net-zero goals quickly, how they achieve them is unclear. Whether driven by retail requirements or consumer demands, the report investigates why barriers and myths must be eliminated to achieve progress.
“It’s fascinating to see how the massive adoption of pets in the United States during the pandemic transformed the petfood industry.
“Despite inflation and other challenges, consumers are seeking high-quality foods for their pets who are treated like family members,” says Jason Robertson, Vice President of Food and
Beverage at CRB.
CRB is a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food and beverage and life sciences industries. The company’s more than 1600 employees provide world-class solutions that drive success and positive change for their clients, people and communities.
CRB is a privately held company with a long history of serving clients throughout the world.
Download the full report at:
https://go.crbgroup.com/horizons-pet-food-report
