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The internet, wheeled luggage, the little blue pill and iTunes – These disparate and life-changing innovations all started with a simple question. How could this product or process be improved?

On Thursday, June 22, Convention 2023 brought together a panel of bakers to share their perspectives on how to keep pace and continue growth. The discussion included the many ups and downs of vertical integration including consumer interaction, innovation, industry changes, e-commerce, private label, speed to market and equipment needs.

The last couple of years have brought into sharp focus the many benefits of technology. For example, when outside people were not allowed inside a facility during COVID, technology offered the ability to be responsive by providing expertise while maintaining the safety of workers inside the facility.

Smart manufacturing uses emerging and advanced technologies to increase the efficiency of traditional processes. During Convention 2023, John Dyck, CEO of CESMII – The Smart Manufacturing Institute shared how the public/private partnership is transforming the U.S. manufacturing market through smart manufacturing technologies.

Sustainability is the new triple bottom line, composed of people, planet and profit. During Workforce Wednesday, Dr. Kevin J. Dooley, an expert on sustainable supply chain management and complexity science applications, highlighted the sustainability indicators used by CPG companies and retailers.

While there is a lot of talk about Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) many organizations are not yet ready for its implementation.

Labor and hiring continue to be problematic for the industry, and there are currently more than 6.4 million job openings reported in the U.S.

A discussion with OJ DeSouza from Signature Baking Company about his path into the baking industry.

Convention 2023 just wrapped, and I can’t believe how much there was to take in during the whirlwind event. Throughout the week, there were so many great moments, from the scheduled to the spontaneous and unscripted. It was great to be back in touch with so many in the industry, seeing familiar faces and learning new ones in an incredible environment.

Overland Park, KS: On Friday, June 23, BEMA elected new members and renewed terms for current representatives on its executive committee and Board of Directors during the General Membership meeting at BEMA’s Convention 2023 in Montage Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina.