Introduction
Pack Expo 2024 once again brought industry leaders together to discuss the latest in packaging technology, but it also underscored a critical challenge: the training and support gaps between OEMs and food manufacturers.
While machines are designed to boost efficiency and productivity, they often fall short of delivering peak performance due to limited long-term resources and support materials readily available to the end users. This article explores the challenges, potential solutions, and benefits of addressing these issues for both food manufacturers and equipment providers.
Challenges Between OEMs and Food Manufacturers
While OEMs and food manufacturers both seek to optimize operations and drive productivity, they often face a gap caused by a lack of training, and maintenance materials.
Food Manufacturers: High-Cost Equipment and Limited Support
- Machines Are Expensive: Food manufacturers often make significant investments in equipment, expecting long-term efficiency gains and high output. However, without ongoing training, these machines may not operate at peak capacity, be used safely leading to decreasing the customers' ROI.
- Limited Long-Term Resources: OEMs typically provide on-site training during initial installation but seldom offer comprehensive, long-term resources. As new employees join or existing staff change roles, the lack of immediately accessible training results in inconsistent training based on tribal knowledge.
- Suboptimal Output: The combination of limited training and complex machinery often leads to downtime, lower productivity, and potential food safety issues.
Equipment Manufacturers: Challenges with margins, repeat business and time management
- Expensive Field Support: The lack of accessible training means that OEM support staff often need to travel to customer sites to resolve issues. These support visits are costly; both in terms of time and money, and can strain OEM resources.
- Customer Frustration: When equipment issues arise and someone needs to fly out to assist, down time can be extensive and costly to both the food manufacturer and the OEM.
- Difficulty in Upselling: OEMs rely on satisfied customers for repeat and additional sales. However, when food manufacturers encounter performance issues due to training gaps, it becomes difficult for OEMs to pitch additional products effectively.
Benefits of Enhanced Training and Support
Implementing structured, long-term training content provides advantages for both food manufacturers and OEMs, helping to bridge the support gap, reduce downtime, and foster stronger partnerships.
For Food Manufacturers:
- Readily Available Support: Custom training modules mean that food manufacturers have access to essential information at any time that is tailored to the unique machine, reducing the need for frequent support calls for new hires, maintenance needs and general training.
- Decreased Downtime: With a team capable of handling routine maintenance with easily accessible videos for troubleshooting, machines experience fewer breakdowns and reduce the need for OEMs to travel on site for assistance.
- Peak Performance: Consistent, competency-based training ensures that expensive machinery is used to its full potential, providing food manufacturers with the output and efficiency they expect.
For Equipment Manufacturers:
- Increased Profit Margins: Reducing the need for on-site support visits frees up OEM resources, helping them manage expenses and improve profit margins.
- Happier Customers: When food manufacturers feel empowered and well-supported, they’re more likely to be satisfied with their OEM partners, building a foundation of trust and loyalty.
- Customer Referrals: Happy customers are more likely to recommend the OEM to other companies, opening the door to new opportunities and expanding the OEM’s market reach.
Conclusion
Pack Expo 2024 shed light on the critical need for robust, accessible training and support solutions from OEMs. By addressing these training gaps, OEMs and food manufacturers can enhance productivity, maximize equipment value, and foster stronger customer relationships. Custom content and interactive training from providers like WorkForge offer a pathway to reduce downtime, increase satisfaction, and ultimately drive success in this competitive industry.
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