Food & Beverage Supply Chain: Planning for Shelf Life and Seasonality

Food and beverage supply chains are among the most complex to plan. Here's how specialist planning software addresses the unique challenges of the industry.

Food manufacturers face a unique combination of challenges: short shelf lives, strict food safety regulations, seasonal demand patterns, high promotional intensity, and complex manufacturing processes.

Shelf Life Management: Unlike most manufactured goods, food products have a finite shelf life. sofco's supply planning capabilities include sophisticated shelf life management.

Seasonal Peaks: Whether it's Christmas confectionery, summer barbecue products, or Easter eggs, food manufacturers face dramatic seasonal swings in demand.

Promotional Complexity: FMCG food products are heavily promoted, with some categories seeing more than 40% of volume sold on promotion.

sofco has extensive experience in food and beverage supply chain planning, with clients including Yeo Valley, Greencore, Karro, Van Geloven, Burton's Biscuits, and Fox's Biscuits.