Last week, we hosted our latest Unpuzzling webinar on Food Automation Successes in Canada. CFIN’s Tyson MacInnis and Julie Daigle were joined by industry leaders from Relocalize, Area 52, and Gastronomous Technologies to discuss how food companies are leveraging automation technology to address workforce shortages, improve efficiency, and scale operations.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the discussion.
Automation Drives Efficiency and Cost Savings
A key insight from the discussion was the role of automation in driving efficiency. One compelling case study highlighted during the webinar showcased a food manufacturer that overhauled its operations by automating a processing line. This strategic shift reduced workforce needs from 12 employees to just 3-4, while simultaneously quadrupling production capacity. Even more impressively, the company achieved a full return on investment (ROI) within just 18 months.
Workforce Challenges Accelerate the Need for Automation
The Canadian food industry is facing a critical labor shortage, making automation an essential solution. Reports indicate that for every 10 retirees, only 7 younger workers are entering the workforce, creating a significant gap. The seafood processing and quick-service restaurant (QSR) industries, in particular, are struggling with labor retention and high turnover rates. Automation allows companies to maintain production levels while reducing reliance on an unpredictable labour market. It also improves employee satisfaction by removing repetitive, labor-intensive tasks and shifting the workforce towards higher-value roles.
AI and IoT Will Shape the Future of Food Automation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are redefining food production in ways we couldn't have imagined just a decade ago. As Wayne McIntyre, CEO of Relocalize, put it, the goal isn't just to automate existing processes, but to rethink food manufacturing altogether. His company is doing just that through its autonomous IoT-connected microfactories that facilitate hyper-local, decentralized production to eliminate unnecessary trucking and drastically cut carbon emissions.
Other innovations featured in the webinar included those from Gastronomous Technologies, a Canadian startup proving that AI can provide efficiency gains and quality gains. Their AI-driven solutions in quick-service restaurants ensure food is prepared with consistent precision every time, addressing a major pain point in an industry known for high turnover and skill variability. Finally, Tim Fogerty shared how Area52 is leveraging IoT and AI for predictive maintenance, creating automation systems that learn and adapt over time to reduce downtime and optimize production processes.
With these innovations moving at breakneck speed, the food sector in Canada is on the verge of a fundamental transformation. Businesses that embrace AI and IoT today will be the ones leading that shift.
Watch the Recording and Sign Up for Future Webinars
Want to keep exploring complex industry topics? There’s still time to register for tomorrow’s session on empowering women in the food industry, featuring a discussion with CFIN CEO Dana McCauley. Don’t miss this one—sign up here!