This webinar is hosted by the British Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
The food manufacturing landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by advances in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. As the industry transitions from smart factories to “dark factories”, fully automated facilities that can operate with minimal or no human intervention, questions arise about efficiency, sustainability, workforce impact, and food safety.
This webinar explores the latest developments in dark factory technologies and their application in food manufacturing. Participants will gain insights into how automation is reshaping production processes, improving precision and traceability, and supporting sustainable and resilient food systems.
Key Discussion Points:
- Understanding Dark Factories: What they are and how they differ from smart factories.
- Recent Technological Advances: AI, robotics, IoT, and digital twins in food production.
- Case Studies and Emerging Applications: Examples of automation in food manufacturing lines.
- Benefits and Challenges: Efficiency, cost, energy use, food safety, and workforce implications.
- Future Outlook: What dark factory adoption means for the future of food manufacturing and supply chains.
Speakers:
Matt Raynor, Raynor Foods
Matt Raynor is a non-executive director at Raynor Foods. He has been in the sandwich industry for longer than he cares to remember. In his forty years behind the spreader, he has gone to many countries and seen many things between two slices of bread. He now entertains himself innovating new manufacturing technology and bringing it to UK Plc. Matt's talk is entitled 'The Future of Manufacturing'.
Professor Nicholas Watson, Leeds University
Nik is Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Food at Leeds University.
During his career Nik has published over 70 articles and led projects funded by Innovate UK, EPSRC, STFC and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Nik is an active member of the UK's Digital Manufacturing research community and currently a Co-Investigator on the EPSRC's Digital Manufacturing Network: Connected Everything. Nik regularly speaks at Industry events on the topic of Digital Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence within the food and drink sector. He has extensive industry collaborative experience with manufacturers in the food and drink, pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors ranging from micro-SMEs to multinationals. He also works closely with digital technology providers and integrators.
Nik's research is focussed on developing digital technologies and solutions to address environmental sustainability, food safety and health challenges in food production systems. His particular expertise lies within combining low costs sensors (e.g. acoustic and optical) with machine learning models to monitor and optimise production processes and predict food properties.