Smith Brothers Farms has positioned itself for growth from new products and from co-packing opportunities. Raw milk capacity increased 55% to 70,000 gallons and pasteurized milk capacity soared 300% to 60,000 gallons. 

Dairy foods processors must be especially diligent in their efforts to combat Listeria, as it has been found in pasteurized or unpasteurized milk products, including soft cheeses made such as queso fresco, Brie, Feta and Camembert. 

Coconut water: Is it just a fad or is it a sustainable ingredient? It’s currently in vogue but I believe that the industry can make this product as much a staple as jeans are to fashion. I will make the case that coconut water is here to stay.

Why buy Swiss cheese when you could buy Swiss cheese made in small batches from milk given by cows who spend their summers at high altitudes in the Bavarian Alps of Germany? 

There are five fundamental trends that can reshape corporate success and sustainable profit growth. They are: Speed, Age, Glocal, Uncertainty and Innovation. It is clear to me that they are interrelated and must be taken as a whole to sustain profitable growth in this new age.
 

I’ve noticed five underlying trends that are reshaping ‘reality’ for all businesses and are critical to our ability to sustain profitability and growth. Recognizing them gives us the capability to use them—now and when those proverbial opportunities present themselves. They are as follows:

Labels offer a wealth of untapped potential for manufacturers. In PMMI’s 2012 Trends in Labeling market research study, manufacturers from a variety of industries, including dairy, discussed some of the opportunities and challenges encountered when looking for innovative branding solutions. 

Most process manufacturing organizations are unaware or uncertain at how the stricter regulations will affect their production processes. This is the finding of a new study of food and beverage manufacturing professionals across the county. Conducted by iRely, a leading provider of process manufacturing and commodity trading software, survey data confirms that while food & beverage manufacturing leaders are mostly aware of the new requirements, they are still getting up to speed with the necessary changes.