Best of British Food and Drink Manufacturing
Showcasing the best of British food and drink manufacturing, FDF co-ordinated an
exhibition in the reception area of the Department for
Business,
Innovation and Skills' London headquarters for a fortnight in November 2011 to
demonstrate how
the
industry is a great British success story.
Success Growth Capability - Food & Drink Manufacturing
The UK's largest manufacturing industry
The UK food and drink manufacturing industry produces
some of the world's best loved brands and plays a vital
role in underpinning the economy through its ongoing
efforts to promote growth, create jobs and boost exports.
Key facts
- Food and drink is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK
with a turnover of £72.3bn
- Our industry contributes £20bn in Gross Value Added to the economy
and represents 15% of total manufacturing output in the UK
- Exports of British food and non alcoholic drink products are
approaching £11bn a year
A strong UK food and drink manufacturing base is vital for supplying
consumers with food that is safe, nutritious and affordable, supporting
communities and offering a range of exciting and rewarding careers.
What we need to grow
In order to safeguard the future success of UK food and drink
manufacturing, we need an active partnership with Government
to identify and overcome barriers to growth and support our
efforts to help rebalance the economy.
Key asks
- Ensure a coherent, consistent approach to food policy across Government
to help our industry grow sustainably
- Create the competitive conditions in which entrepreneurship and
innovation can flourish
- Develop a joint export strategy to build on the food and drink
industry's success
- Ensure the High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Centre
(TIC) promotes the uptake of R&D in food and drink manufacturing
- Work in partnership with industry to raise the profile of food and drink
manufacturing as a career of first choice
- Support food and drink SMEs to increase productivity through the use
of automation
Action is also needed to ensure an appropriate regulatory and fiscal framework
as
well as sufficient access to finance to create the right conditions for UK food
and
drink manufacturers to grow sustainably.
Our industry has the potential for
further
economic growth whilst contributing to future food security, here in the UK and
globally, and the wider lower carbon agenda.
Our capabilities - A future in food
UK food and drink manufacturing employs up to 400,000 people
and is a 'career of first choice', providing employment with above
average wages, relatively long tenure and opportunities for
graduates and non-graduates alike.
Key facts
- By 2017 the industry will need 137,000 new recruits
- 94% of employees are full-time in food and drink manufacturing
- Our industry has pledged to double the number of apprentices by the
end of 2012
- We are committed to delivering FDF's Graduate Ambition - a new technical
degree course to equip graduates with the skills our industry requires.
Food and drink manufacturers must have the ability to attract highly talented
people
and upskill their existing workforces to improve their competitiveness and
increase
productivity. Our industry is committed to providing opportunities for school
and
college leavers, apprentices and graduates.
Innovation is paramount
UK food and drink manufacturing is a high-tech industry using
innovative technologies in IT , engineering and life sciences to
meet consumer needs and increase productivity while impacting
less on the environment.
Key facts
- Our industry invests more than £1.1 billion a year on research and development
- We launch over 8,000 new products annually
- We have increased the productivity of our labour force by 50% over the last
10 years
Thanks to its world class capabilities in research and development and its
consumer insight the food and drink manufacturing industry continues to grow
and
add value to the economy.
Healthy Planet, Healthy People
UK food and drink manufacturers take their responsibilities
seriously - to employees, to consumers and to the environment
around them.
Key facts
- We are committed to playing a full part in improving the nation's health,
reformulating our products, providing clear labelling and working alongside
Government and NGOs in the Public Health Responsibility Deal.
- We have collectively reduced the amount of salt and saturated
fat in food by 9% over the past five years, on top of progress made
before 2006.
- FDF's Five-fold Environmental Ambition shows our commitment
to resource efficiency, including substantial reductions in CO2 emissions
and savings in water, packaging, food waste and transport.
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Last reviewed: 23 Jan 2012