The challenges small businesses face are real – but so are the solutions. Compact, affordable automation helps ambitious food brands boost productivity and cut costs.
Smaller food businesses aren’t short on big ambitions. The smart entrepreneurial start-ups with innovative products, and next-stage companies looking to scale up, keep the industry fuelled with energy and new ideas.
But today the challenges they face are bigger than ever. Energy and raw material costs have risen across the board as global instability intensifies and inflation bites. Labour costs have ticked up too – with the price of finding and keeping staff growing just as the worker pool shrinks. These pressures are forcing smaller producers to rethink how they operate, with efficiency and consistency becoming business critical.
These are the problems keeping multinational CEOs awake at night. And sadly, they’re even more of an issue for growing companies without deep reserves to protect them in testing economic times.
To succeed, challenger brands need the right support. And that’s where access to efficient, accessible automation can help slash operating costs while boosting productivity and building long-term resilience for the future. That’s why smaller producers increasingly need equipment that’s reliable, scalable and doesn’t require large capital investment – exactly the gap Multivac UK’s Compact Series is designed to fill.
Challenging times
● Over half (54%) of food and drink manufacturers want to prioritise investment in automation to drive productivity and overcome skills shortages.
● Manufacturers expect operating costs to have risen 4.8% by March 2026.
● A third of businesses expect economic conditions to deteriorate further as they face increased costs.
Source: Food and Drink Federation’s State of the Industry report
Affordable and flexible solutions
Multivac UK is well known for providing high-quality German processing and packaging machinery to major manufacturing names. And now the brand’s Compact Series range launch gives fast-growing businesses the chance to buy into high-quality equipment solutions too.
“Our Compact range is affordable, flexible, reliable and simple to use, while still remaining small enough to fit into businesses looking to scale up their operation in tight spaces,” says Henry Brook, sales and marketing director at Multivac UK.
“Businesses can get all the benefits of Multivac quality but at a scale that suits them. Multivac has always been well known in the industry for providing world-class packaging processing retail production lines. But we also recognise that many UK food producers don’t need a full-scale system yet. The Compact Series gives them the same trusted Multivac build quality, but at a size, price point and simplicity level that fits their stage of growth.”
Success stems from close consultation. Through knowledgeable product managers Multivac UK can assess and address a food businesses’ most pressing problems. Brook says that companies often come to the brand with a production puzzle to solve – which can range from making processes more efficient and boosting production to upgrading packaging.
At Multivac’s Innovation Centre, businesses can trial equipment with their own products – an opportunity many smaller manufacturers rarely have access to. This gives growing brands confidence in their investment before they commit. Aftercare is essential too, with the brand offering reliable UK-based support to ensure solutions hit targets and exceed expectations.
“We’re here to support smaller businesses to reach the next level,” adds Brook.
“Through our Compact Series range we’re making sure entrepreneurs, start-ups and everyone going for growth can cut waste, dial-up quality and be as efficient as possible.
“We know the challenges food manufacturers face. And our industry experience and expertise means we’re ready to help solve them.”
Boosting production at Millets Farm
Multivac UK’s Compact traysealing packaging machine is helping ambitious family-run business Millets Farm level up with upgraded pack presentation and production efficiency.
One of the farm’s leading lines is meat – which requires packaging that showcases quality and provenance. But when its previous traysealer from another brand failed, staff were faced with wrapping products in clingfilm, before they approached Multivac UK for expert advice.
Multivac UK suggested the T205 Traysealing packaging machine, a freestanding, semi-automatic unit with a multi-functional die design. This provided a reliable and robust solution right now, as well as the flexibility to meet the farm’s needs as they grow.
Thanks to the machine, staff can now process around eight packs a minute easily and efficiently. Plus, every pack features clear film and high oxygen modified atmosphere, helping keep meat fresher for longer. After-care is also there too, with specialist support to suit the brand’s evolving requirements. This improvement not only increases throughput but also elevates shelf appeal and product consistency, key drivers for both customer satisfaction and retail opportunities.
“We’ve been very impressed with the expertise and professionalism of Multivac UK, from sales right through to installation and support,” says Declan Clark, operations manager at Millets Farm.
“The machine itself absolutely lives up to expectation and is clearly a well-designed, robust piece of kit. We look forward to working with Multivac in the future as our food production expands.”
To discover more about Multivac’s compact range and other equipment, click here.
