This autumn, the team at Clegg Food Projects was back on the ground at two of the most notable events on the food manufacturing and logistics calendar: the PPMA Show and the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX). Beyond the buzz of exhibitions and demonstrations, attending these events carved a real window of opportunity for us – a chance to reconnect with industry peers, take the pulse of emerging technologies and glimpse where the sector is heading next.
No fear of change, only moving ahead
This year, both events carried a palpable shift in tone. Attendance felt more purposeful, with a higher proportion of decision-makers using the platforms as springboards for what’s next. Conversations followed the same pattern, shifting from product showcases to taking active steps towards tackling the challenges facing food manufacturing head-on, rather than leaving them for tomorrow.
Two dominant themes emerged: automation and digitalisation. From AI-driven solutions to predictive maintenance, smart factory integration and robotics for end-of-line automation, the sector is not only embracing technology but also putting itself in its hands. Businesses are determined to make operations smarter, faster and more efficient.
Collaboration across the supply chain is also becoming essential. Manufacturers, logistics providers and tech companies are exploring ways to join forces to create resilient, future-ready systems.
Innovation in action
Some of the most exciting innovations on show included robotics that adapt to production demands and cold chain logistics technology offering enhanced traceability and precise temperature control.
Emerging trends such as circular economy models, labour-saving technologies and resilience planning in response to global supply chain disruptions, all signal how the industry is evolving at high speed to meet commercial and sustainability targets.
What this means for Clegg
These insights align perfectly with our work in design, construction and project delivery. Our team is already ahead of the game, integrating automation and sustainability into our builds from foundation to finish.
Events like PPMA and IMHX help us stay ahead of the curve by:
- Designing future-ready facilities that anticipate technological and regulatory change
- Strengthening partnerships with technology providers
- Supporting clients’ ESG ambitions, embedding sustainability metrics from the very start of a project
On the ground, conversations also highlighted the importance of piloting new technologies in live environments and integrating sustainability at the earliest stages of planning, an area where our team is already leading the charge.
A sector on the move
The industry is responding proactively. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it’s now embedded into product design and facility planning. Automation improves efficiency, quality and safety. And efficiency itself is being redefined, with data visibility and agile operations enabling smarter, faster decision-making.
Looking ahead: opportunities for 2026
These trends open doors to exciting possibilities: co-developing smart facility solutions with clients, offering modular and scalable construction options, and supporting ESG reporting through built-in data systems.
For Clegg Food Projects, this means enhancing digital capabilities, expanding our sustainability toolkit and building stronger alliances with technology innovators. By combining these elements, we can help clients create intelligent, adaptive facilities that evolve alongside market demands, regulatory shifts and technological advancements.
The next step
The convergence of AI, automation and sustainability is redefining food production, packaging and delivery. The future belongs to facilities that are not just built to last, but built to adapt, evolve and thrive in a changing market.
“PPMA and IMHX 2025 showed that the future of food manufacturing and logistics is smart, sustainable, and collaborative. Clegg is ready to help clients build it,” said our business development manager Oliver Jenkins.
For more information or to discuss potential collaborations, please get in touch with our team.