Downtime in the food and beverage (F&B) industry isn't just an inconvenience—it's a direct hit to profitability.
For example, this study from ABB found that unplanned downtime in the F&B sector can cost between $4,000 to $30,000 per hour. Factor in cleanup and recovery efforts and a single incident can lead to a 12-hour loss in production. For manufacturers, that’s a risk they simply can’t afford to take.
Efficiency is everything in the F&B manufacturing industry. Production lines face unique challenges that can quickly turn minor setbacks into costly disruptions. From perishable raw materials that spoil if left idle to stringent safety regulations, manufacturers must navigate a delicate balance between speed, compliance, and quality control.
A short period of unplanned downtime can result in lost revenue, wasted products, and dissatisfied customers. Understanding these industry-specific challenges helps these manufacturers identify and implement the right solutions to keep operations running smoothly. The negative impacts to your organization can include:
When production stops, fresh ingredients like dairy, meat, and produce are left sitting, increasing the spoilage risk. Downtime during critical processing steps can render entire batches unsellable, leading to big financial losses for the manufacturer. The Food Loss and Waste Database by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 30% of global food loss occurs at the production stage.
Time is also wasted when the line goes down. When food processing conveyor systems fail, production line workers remain idle, leading to inefficiencies and unproductive labor costs.
The FDA and other regulatory bodies require strict hygiene and safety standards adherence. Production halts can lead to compliance failures, fines, or even recalls. The evolving regulatory landscape presents a complicated set of challenges. For example, the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) introduced stringent requirements for 2025 aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses, forcing manufacturers to shift their focus from reaction to prevention. Compliance with these and other regulations necessitates comprehensive record-keeping and proactive risk management strategies for any food conveyor systems.
Delayed shipments and inconsistent quality can weaken customer trust and result in lost contracts. A beverage manufacturer producing 60,000 units per hour can lose $10,000 during each of those hours. One mid-sized bakery faced losses of $200,000 in a single week after a conveyor breakdown halted production for four days.
Unplanned disruptions can delay order fulfillment, impacting customer satisfaction and trust. In the F&B sector, consumer loyalty matters. Delayed shipments or poor product quality due to interrupted production can fray this trust and lead to lost customers.
With the potential to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in mere hours, as well as injuring your reputation, investing in preventative solutions like Piedmont’s conveyor and fabrication services becomes vital. Piedmont Electric Motor delivers unmatched value that keeps F&B production lines running smoothly.
Piedmont Electric Motor specializes in analyzing, customizing, and optimizing food industry conveyor systems to eliminate bottlenecks and inefficiencies. By designing custom-fabricated components, they ensure food and beverage manufacturers experience seamless, high-performance production lines.
Piedmont doesn’t deliver one-size-fits-all solutions. Their team of experts analyze existing conveyor systems to pinpoint manufacturing inefficiencies—whether it's misaligned belts, product buildup, or insufficient load handling. Their engineering expertise allows them to reconfigure and upgrade F&B equipment for smoother workflows and better resource utilization.
A dog treat manufacturer struggled with an inefficient food packaging conveyor system that caused treats to stack up, requiring regular manual intervention. Piedmont stepped in with a custom dumping mechanism, automating the process and significantly reducing labor costs. The result? Increased efficiency, reduced manual labor, and streamlined production processes—all money in the bank for this manufacturer.
Many F&B manufacturers experience operational constraints due to outdated or poorly designed conveyor systems. Piedmont’s custom fabrication extends the lifespan of manufacturing equipment lifespan and improve throughput across F&B production lines.
Piedmont’s expertise extends beyond food industry conveyor systems —they design and fabricate food-grade equipment using stainless steel and aluminum, ensuring compliance with hygiene regulations while enhancing the durability of these critical tools.
Piedmont’s stainless steel and aluminum equipment resist corrosion and contamination, making them ideal for racks, carts, safety guards, and stackers.
Off-the-shelf solutions often fail to solve these unique production challenges. Piedmont Electric Motor specializes in designing and fabricating tailored equipment that seamlessly integrates into existing operations, helping manufacturers overcome the bottlenecks that thwart their potential and address safety issues.
Here are a few examples of their expertise in action:
Efficiency, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable. Piedmont lessens the risks of production delays, compliance issues, and equipment failures, going beyond basic repairs. They offer tailored solutions for food conveying systems, enhancing performance across the manufacturing floor. Their custom fabrication and system expertise delivers measurable benefits that keep operations running smoothly and profitably, such as:
Partnering with the right solutions provider maintains efficiency and profitability in the food and beverage industry. Piedmont Electric Motor stands out with its rapid response, proactive problem-solving, and local advantage. Here's why businesses trust Piedmont to keep their operations running smoothly.
Several critical approaches set Piedmont apart from the competition. These points of differentiation drive measurable results for F&B manufacturers:
Piedmont Electric Motor stands out with its rapid response, proactive problem-solving, and local advantage, ensuring that food and beverage manufacturers receive fast, reliable, and customized solutions. Here’s why businesses trust Piedmont to keep their operations running smoothly:
Piedmont understands the urgency of production issues and provides quick turnaround times to minimize costly delays and keep operations running.
By taking a consultative approach, Piedmont helps F&B companies anticipate potential issues before they arise, preventing disruptions and ensuring seamless operations.
With its strategic proximity to clients and access to a wide range of electrical, industrial and mechanical supplies, Piedmont ensures faster service and reduces lead times for critical equipment needs.
By choosing Piedmont, manufacturers gain a partner that understands the complexities of food and beverage operations and delivers proactive, high-impact solutions that keep production running smoothly.
Downtime is one of the greatest threats to profitability in the food and beverage industry. By partnering with Piedmont Electric Motor, manufacturers gain access to customized conveyor solutions, expert fabrication, and rapid response repair services that keep production lines running efficiently.
Piedmont delivers exceptional expertise in custom conveyor solutions and fabrication, helping F&B manufacturers:
With a focus on efficiency, safety, and compliance, Piedmont stands out as a key partner for the food and beverage industry.
Looking to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance operational efficiency? Contact Piedmont Electric Motor today for a consultation and discover how their tailored solutions can transform your production processes.