Andy Threlfall, policy and technical director of the FEA, said that embracing digital technology had the potential to be as transformative to UK manufacturers as the industrial revolution.
“Many of these new technologies are already quite familiar, in particular the addition of online connectivity to commercial foodservice equipment.
“But it’s clear that these are just the first steps of a journey that will have profound effects on the way all businesses operate in the future.”
The rollout of 5G broadband is a vital part of the new Government strategy. It will make the adoption of advanced digital technology by industries and business sectors far easier, as it will allow them to manage the large amounts of data required for systems like cloud computing, AI and machine learning.
“This next generation of digital technology will have an enormous effect both on the foodservice equipment industry and the foodservice industry as a whole,” says Threlfall.
“Access to and analysis of data created by many different sectors will help to create new avenues for efficiency and increase productivity.”
As well as this the digital strategy will have many advantages for businesses looking to meet carbon Net Zero targets, which is seen as likely to be a major driver for the uptake of these systems over the next decade.
He added: “The foodservice equipment industry has shown that it isn’t afraid of embracing the potential for new technologies, and if it proceeds as expected the government’s digital strategy will have widespread ramifications for the sector.
“The FEA aims to continue to facilitate the conversations the industry needs to have in order for it to be ready to meet the challenges of implementing new technology and changing legislation.”
He said the FEA’s support would include developing training programmes and running seminars aimed at helping members exploit the potential of the digital strategy.
And it would also continue to work with the government and EFCEM (the European Federation of Catering Equipment Manufacturers), as well as partner organisations globally, to remain a central part of the conversation going forward.