Since 2014, respondents to Food Engineering’s annual State of Food Manufacturing survey have ranked automation as the No. 1 trend affecting the industry—until this year.

The food manufacturing industry faces any number of challenges, both great and small, but according to Food Engineering readers, the future is bright.

Respondents to our 2017 State of Food Manufacturing Survey say they expect automation to be a big part of future plans.

Food and beverage manufacturers work to satisfy increased consumer demand, while maintaining quality.

One glance at this year’s Food Engineering State of Manufacturing survey indicates, that for the most part, food and beverage processors are facing a lot of issues—many the same as last year.

Production improvement is always a driver in manufacturing, but there are other areas of concern in food and beverage, as survey participants make clear.