What's the Chef's Opinion

Chef’s Table
By: Michael Formichella

With the shrinking dollar, less disposable income and the holidays rapidly approaching, it seems to me that Americans have become more frugal, and that trend is changing the manufacturing landscape.

Manufacturers are having to change their approach to product development. Recently I have spoken with many R&D professionals who say they are busier then they have been in a few years, with tons of new ideas being put forth only to be stopped before they come to fruition. It seems no one wants to make the final call; no one wants to make a wrong move. Obviously no one ever wants to make a bad decision, but it seems no one wants to make any decisions.

Having been in the manufacturing industry for a quite a few years, I have never seen things as tight as they are now. Two years ago the analysts were saying it will be a good two years until we pull out of the economic downturn. But according to what I see around the country and the food pantry my wife helps run, it seems we will be in this mess for some time to come. I am doubtful we will ever return to the way we had done business in the past again.

However, I believe that's a good thing, looking at the glass half full rather than half empty. I also believe there are many opportunities still to be found in the value-added arenas. We may have less coin but our lives are not simpler; we are all still time starved! We continue try and fill our days with more than we can accomplish, so manufacturers that can deliver a healthy product for a fair return on investment should be able to capture new market shares.

http://www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/blog/BlogDetail.aspx?topicID=8293&BlogID=20