Productivity ranks as the top priority for CPGs and industry suppliers

Productivity ranks as the top priority among surveyed CPGs and industry suppliers, according to the 2025 Performance Optimization: Insights for Packaging Line Readiness report by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the producer of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows.

The report summarises key issues, industry insights, and recommendations from PMMI’s 2025 Top to Top Summit, held in February. Participants were predominantly end users (55%), with OEMs comprising 22%, contract packagers (9%), component suppliers (4%), materials manufacturers (1%) and other attendees comprising the final 10%. Most participants were from the food industry (61%), with much smaller proportions from beverage (11%), other sectors (11%), personal care (8%), pharma (7%) and household chemicals (2%). The findings in the report are drawn from panel discussions with leading industry experts, as well as roundtable discussions between participants that provided lists of recommendations voted on during the sessions to determine the most critical and actionable insights.

More than three-quarters (78%) of participants voted for productivity as their top priority, followed by cost and automation (both 47%). Growth (39%) and workforce (24%) also attracted significant proportions of the vote. The report finds that participants are focused on productivity and cost followed closely by automation.

Recurring themes include the importance of communication and early collaboration between OEMs and end users, creating clear checklists, ensuring the right teams are involved early in each process, planning and preparedness, expectations and definitions, and standardisation across many aspects of operations, from training materials to data management and HMIs. Together, these phases reinforce a holistic approach to transitioning towards a digitally connected, high-performance environment by ensuring operational, workforce and technological readiness.

The study found vertical startups are successful and achievable through clear communication and collaboration between OEMs and end users. Participants provided specific details about strategies for effective training, such as digital tools, follow-up assessments, automated systems, tailored learning formats, and digital solutions that include AI-driven troubleshooting, interactive manuals, and augmented reality.

Operator training highlights the need to account for diverse workplace realities, including language barriers, varying levels of technical skills, and high turnover rates. People-centric training is also needed to overcome the ‘shift phenomenon’ and minimise performance fluctuations across different shifts.

IT-OT integration explores the complexities of how end users and OEMs can work together to overcome barriers and ensure technical requirements, cybersecurity measures, and data integration needs are met. According to the report, by prioritising real-time data visibility, secure infrastructure, and early stakeholder involvement, organizations can achieve seamless IT-OT integration, future-proof their operations, and avoid costly setbacks. Justifying an IT-OT investment remains a key challenge. As a result, CPG companies must balance short-term, tangible benefits,

such as cost savings, reduced downtime, and immediate ROI, with long-term advantages, including a scalable, future-proof solution that enhances automation, provides real-time insights, and optimizes production processes.

“Technology is playing a growing role in all aspects of industry,” said Jorge Izquierdo, vice president, market development, PMMI, in a statement. “Used strategically and safely, it can provide the means to create more efficient production. Companies that refine and streamline processes, develop skilled workers, and unlock the power of their IT-OT systems create an environment of operational readiness.”

To download the report, click here.