Key Takeaways from the “Go Beyond Food Safety” Webinar

During our recent Go Beyond Webinar, industry leaders dug into one of the most pressing challenges in food manufacturing—how to recruit, train, and retain a skilled maintenance workforce.  This session featured three experts with unique but very connected points of view: 

• Andrew Miller – Reliability & Predictive Maintenance Manager, LifeLine Foods 
• Tim Petron – Leadership Executive, TSP Edge 
• Grant Prenzlow– HR Director, Wholestone Farms 

Andrew Miller got straight to the point in kicking off the session, "Maintenance is the backbone of your organization. If we’re not keeping the product moving, customers don’t get their orders on time. That means lost revenue, increased costs, and potential safety risks.” 

With an aging workforce, shifting technology, and increasing production demands, the role of maintenance has evolved beyond just fixing machines and jumping in when things are not working. Today’s maintenance teams are responsible for food safety, operational efficiency, and worker protection - and manufacturers who don’t invest in their maintenance team will struggle to keep up. 

Let’s take a quick look into several of the key topic areas discussed.   

From Reactive to Proactive: The Shift in Maintenance Strategy 

For decades, maintenance teams have operated in reactive mode - fixing things when they break. But as Andrew put it: 

“If you’re performing reactive maintenance, you’ve already lost the game.” 

The solution? Predictive and proactive maintenance. Instead of waiting for breakdowns, companies are now leveraging technology and data to prevent issues before they happen. 

Tim Petron explained why this shift is so important: 

“Predictive maintenance isn’t just a buzzword - it’s the difference between staying ahead of problems and constantly playing catch-up.” 

By developing a well-trained team and equipping them with the proper resources,  maintenance teams can reduce downtime, lower costs, and improve safety.   

Finding the right talent  

The three panelists emphasized that maintenance isn’t just a behind-the-scenes role—it’s a critical part of operations that directly impacts product quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. 

However, finding, developing and maintaining that talent is becoming harder and harder.  Grant Prenzlow pointed out that many maintenance teams are stretched too thin: 

“We’re seeing companies trying to do more with less. But without the right investment in training and staffing, you’re just setting yourself up for failure.” 

One of the biggest workforce challenges? The wave of retirements sweeping through the industry. Long-time maintenance pros are leaving, taking decades of hands-on knowledge with them. Meanwhile, younger workers may have technical skills but lack mechanical experience. This creates a major skills gap, meaning you must hire for aptitude first and then train the skills. 

Grant put it bluntly: 

“We’ve just had to bite the bullet and invest in maintenance training. You can’t expect the younger workforce to pick things up overnight.” 

The takeaway? Manufacturers need structured training programs and plans to develop their next wave of maintenance talent in the ways they learn best.   

Bridging the Gap: How to Train & Develop the Next Generation 

So, how do you build a skilled maintenance workforce that can handle both traditional mechanical systems and new automation technologies? 

Tim stressed the importance of cross-generational learning: 

“You need a shared vision of success. That means bringing together different generations, different skill sets, and making sure everyone understands how they contribute to the bigger picture.” 

Final Takeaway: Maintenance Deserves a Seat at the Table 

For too long, maintenance has been seen as just a support function. In reality, maintenance is your most knowledgeable resource for how to maximize your equipment and productivity.   

Grant emphasized: 

“Maintenance has to have a seat at the table. Without them, nothing runs.” 

Companies that invest in maintenance training, technology, and teamwork will be the ones that stay competitive in an evolving industry. 

Want more insights from the experts? Watch the full webinar here.