What we do
Food and Beverage Ontario exists to be the voice and champion of Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing sector. As sector experts, FBO works to advocate with government, build relationships, and provide resources that help manufacturers grow sustainably and remain competitive.
Our work is focused on influencing public policy, addressing industry issues such as labour, packaging, investment attraction and supply chain challenges, supporting workforce development through initiatives like CareersNOW!, and advancing productivity through automation, AI, and innovation. At its core, FBO’s role is to strengthen the operating environment for Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturers and help the sector grow, attract talent, and succeed over the long term.
To be efficient and resource-smart for our members, we also partner with subject matter experts on top priority issues such as workforce development, innovation and automation, and regulations. You will find Food and Beverage Ontario representing the Ontario food and beverage processing industry on a number of government roundtables and presenting on issues to key decision-makers.
For our members, we also understand that networking and B2B opportunities are essential to success. Food and Beverage Ontario hosts a number of events throughout the year, including our Annual Conference, our Annual Town Hall and Golf Tournament and our Member Insights event.
Interested in learning more?
Technology Implementation Guide for the Ontario Food and Beverage Sector
A technology implementation “how to guide” to support processors in implementing technology in their operations that will address labour challenges, in addition to mitigating COVID-19 risk factors.
Study of Automation in the Ontario Food and Beverage Processing Sector
A detailed review of current research and our consultations with businesses on the adoption of innovative automation and robotics as a means to address labour shortages and improve competitiveness and productivity.
Our thanks to the member companies who generously gave of their time and expertise for the development of these valuable reports.
Key highlights from
Study of Automation in the Ontario Food and Beverage Sector
- Offsetting/lowering labour costs, reduced costs of production and realized gains in productivity were ranked as the top three automation drivers by businesses participating in the report survey.
- Financial barriers were found to be a major obstacle to business adoption of automation and robotics technology with the ‘cost of external automation and robotics maintenance service’ and ‘cost of operation delays of implementation’ most noted by survey respondents.
- Grants for capital purchases/investment in technology and employee training support ranked highest by businesses as ‘areas for support’.
- Lack of available skilled labour to operate automation and robotics equipment was cited as the top operational barrier by survey respondents.
- Challenges due to lack of ‘domestic manufacturing of automation and robotics equipment’ continues to be a serious barrier for many businesses.
- Challenges due to lack of ‘domestic manufacturing of automation and robotics equipment’ continues to be a serious barrier for many businesses.
- Report recommendations for government and industry leaders to increase automation in the sector:
- Broaden the scope and flexibility of funding programs for adoption of automation and robotics technology by businesses.
- Facilitate increased collaboration between the industry and Ontario post-secondary educational institutions to identify ways to address the shortage of skilled labour and training.
- Support and build capacity for the manufacturing in Ontario of automation equipment and technology solutions.
Key highlights from
Technology Implementation Guide for the Ontario Food and Beverage Sector
- Implementing technology can assist with solving labour challenges, provide new opportunities for upskilling employees, reduce pandemic impacts and create safer workplaces, however cost and finding the right solution are also factors.
- Innovative technologies available to processor businesses include Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, automation and robotics, enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution system, voice recognition technology, and cloud platforms.
- To ensure successful technology implementation, the report provides a series of best management practices and key consideration for processor businesses.
- Three report case studies profile successful implementation of innovative technologies that address labour and/or COVID-19 challenges:
- Bonduelle Americas Long Life — Robotic Palletizing System
- Maple Leaf Foods — Smart, Connected Machines Combines with Augmented Reality Technologies
- Belmont Meat Products and Leadbetter Foods — COVID-19 Mitigation Technologies and Protocols