The need for speed

Let’s be honest, speed is crucial. The ability to quickly respond to market demands and get products on shelf can make or break a brand. Our brand clients need to respond to seasonal promotions or sudden shifts in consumer preferences, or their competitors will. Being agile and able to rapidly adjust production and distribution can lead to increased sales and market share. But be aware of the pitfalls:

• Quality Control issues: Rushing production can lead to compromised product quality, resulting in recalls and damage to brand reputation. 

• Supply Chain disruptions: Speeding up processes can strain supply chains, leading to delays and shortages. Pivoting away from the plan creates issues elsewhere. 

• Increased costs: Faster production often requires more resources and micro-management, leading to higher operational costs. 

The importance of efficiency

While speed is essential, efficiency is equally important. Efficiency ensures that resources are used optimally, reducing waste and costs. From what I’ve noticed, of our FMCG clients who are greatly improving efficiency, they all prioritise: 

• Demand forecasting: Increasingly utilising AI and advanced analytics to predict consumer demand accurately to help optimise inventory levels and reduce out-of-stocks. 

• Supply chain optimisation: They’ve streamlined supply chain operations through automation and technology integration to enhance logistics planning and reduce delivery times. 

• Lean manufacturing: Implementing lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste and maximise output, such as reducing non-value-adding activities, incorporating Just-in-Time production and reducing downtime between production run changes. 

Balancing speed and efficiency

Finding the right balance between both delivers success in the FMCG market. Our clients that are striking the right balance tend to focus on three key areas: people, processes, and reporting. Here’s how you can re-focus your business to deliver the Speed and Efficiency sweet spot:

People

• Training and Development: Investing in employee training to enhance skills and knowledge can improve productivity and efficiency. For example, Procter & Gamble uses AI-powered tools to analyse data from retail channels, improving supply chain efficiency. 

• Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between departments and suppliers can lead to better decision-making and faster problem-solving. Get the right people around the table. 

Processes

• Automation: Implementing automation in production and logistics can reduce manual errors and speed up processes. Nestlé has implemented AI-driven automation in its production facilities to monitor quality control in real-time. 

• Continuous Improvement: Adopting a culture of continuous improvement can help identify inefficiencies and implement solutions promptly. 

Reporting

• Real-Time Data Analysis: Utilising real-time data analysis to monitor performance and make informed decisions can enhance efficiency.  

• Performance Metrics: Establishing clear performance metrics and regularly reviewing them can help track progress and identify areas for improvement. 

If you need to find the balance between efficiency and speed, our tech can help.

e-flow, our artwork management solution automates your packaging artwork approval process.

e-volve, our game changing artwork automation system can significantly increase your packaging speed to market. 

This technology can provide accurate data to drive continuous improvement, create greater brand consistency, and offer complete transparency.  

While speed can drive sales and market share, efficiency ensures optimal use of resources and long-term sustainability. By investing in people, optimising processes, and leveraging real-time reporting, FMCG companies can achieve the right balance and thrive in a competitive environment. Additionally, a well-executed, efficient and automated design to print process for packaging design can significantly enhance product consistency and market success. 

Get in touch if you’d like to chat to the author, Kevin McAulay, our Business Development Director, and find out more about how our tech solutions can improve the speed and efficiency of your business across your packaging processes.