IFE Manufacturing, the UK’s only dedicated showcase for end-to-end food & drink manufacturers, taking place at ExCel London, 21-23 March 2022, has revealed an all-star line-up of speakers for its 2022 content programme, covering the key talking points and trends in the world of food and drink production and putting the future of food in the spotlight.
The event is a comprehensive showcase of the end-to-end supply chain for food and drink production and manufacturing. With 150 innovative suppliers visitors will be able to source innovative new products and revitalise their existing ones to help grow their businesses.
The show’s Innovation Platform will be hosting an unmissable programme of content featuring speakers at the very forefront of innovation in food and drink production and manufacturing.
Monday 21 March
Day One of the show will begin with an insightful session from Will Cowling of FMCG Gurus, who will be revealing the packaging trends set to define 2022 and beyond.
This will be followed by two back-to-back NPD sessions looking at the evolution of an initial idea through building relationships with manufacturers to meeting large-scale supply demands.
Food Product Development Consultant Nick Henson, who is a panellist for both sessions, comments:
“Innovation in the food market is still very open to entry and exploitation from entrepreneurs and SME, but NPD is a complex, risky, challenging activity requiring diverse experience and resource. Hence going in with a strong body of knowledge on how to approach the process is critical.
“Understanding specifically what is required, and where to find all the appropriate resource and support can be bewildering. These sessions will be able to answer the key burning questions in this area, and critically to ensure that entrepreneurs invest in the most fruitful areas.”
Later on Day One of IFE Manufacturing visitors can hear from The Institute of Export & International Trade as they discuss recent developments with food import and export to and from the UK.
This will be followed by a look at the future of sustainable packaging with Gousto Head of Proposition Strategy Hugh Lewis, Andy Sweetman of Futamura and the BBIA, and Sanjay Patel, Founding Partner of The Packaging Collective.
Tuesday 22 March
Key discussions on Day Two of the show including a not-to-be-missed session entitled ‘Culture shift: Are lab-grown products the future of food?’, covering topics including precision fermentation, cultivated meat and consumer attitudes to some of these revolutionary products. Moderator Citizen Kind CEO Emma Osbourne will be joined by innovators from Cellularevolution, Fermify, Libre Food and Better Dairy.
Other sessions on Day Two include a presentation on trends in ingredients from FMCG Gurus and a look at the challenges of large-scale vegan manufacturing featuring industry leaders from SHICKEN, Veg Capital, Clive’s Purely Plants, The Vegan Kind and Wicked Kitchen.
Wednesday 23 March
The third day of the show will kick off with a keynote session on NPD innovation and idea generation, asking the all-important question: buy or build? Debating whether acquisitions, partnerships or in-house innovation are the route to success will be Gill Horsky of Mondelez International, Paddy Willis of Mission Ventures, Gerardo Mazzeo, formerly of Nestle, and Mike Anstsey of Pilot Lite Ventures.
Later, Ian Downes of Start Licensing will be joined onstage by David Taylor and Matt Fullbrook of Brand of Brother to discuss opportunities for food & drink brands to expand their offering through brand licensing.
Finally, Jon Stevens and Chris Isted of Threesixty brand and Packaging design as they reveal how smart product design can deliver retail success.