The future of the food industry
The CSB Study for the food and beverage industry

Digitization is increasingly important. This year, CSB-System AG is interviewing decision-makers in the international Food & Beverage industry about the challenges and trends in that sector. The survey is conducted in cooperation with the University Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln (DE) and our media partners Lebensmitteltechnik (DE), ProdIndustry (RUS), TecniFood (ES) and Food Processing (UK) and focuses on the utilization of IT.

Participation pays off: Every participant will receive the full report of this global survey free of charge.

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* 1. How do you rate the current economic position of your company?

Very poor

Very good

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 2. When you think about the future, what do you expect the economic position of your company to be like in 3 to 5 years.

Very much poorer

Very much better

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. What do you feel are currently the greatest strengths of your company?

Cost leadership – You offer your products at a very competitive price

Product leadership – Your products are characterized by quality, freshness and/or innovations

Customer relations – You have excellent business relations and knowledge of your customers and the industry

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* 4. How large are the following challenges for your company?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat Very low	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat Low	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat Slightly below average	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat Slightly above average	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat High	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat Very high	Changed consumer behavior and new market trends, such as Hyper Local Convenience 3.0 or Beyond Meat n/a (not applicable)
Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness Very low	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness Low	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness Slightly below average	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness Slightly above average	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness High	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness Very high	Increased consumer requirements, e.g. in terms of quality and freshness n/a (not applicable)
High price pressure	High price pressure Very low	High price pressure Low	High price pressure Slightly below average	High price pressure Slightly above average	High price pressure High	High price pressure Very high	High price pressure n/a (not applicable)
Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation)	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) Very low	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) Low	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) Slightly below average	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) Slightly above average	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) High	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) Very high	Increased requirements from trade (flexibility, product line diversity, response times, automation) n/a (not applicable)
Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework Very low	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework Low	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework Slightly below average	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework Slightly above average	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework High	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework Very high	Legal requirements in terms of food safety, labeling and traceability, in particular also within an international framework n/a (not applicable)
Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets Very low	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets Low	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets Slightly below average	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets Slightly above average	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets High	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets Very high	Globalization of procurement and sales, new suppliers and sales markets n/a (not applicable)
Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory)	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) Very low	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) Low	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) Slightly below average	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) Slightly above average	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) High	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) Very high	Digitalization of the value-added chain (Industry 4.0, Smart Food Factory) n/a (not applicable)
Increased complexity in the own value-added chain	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain Very low	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain Low	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain Slightly below average	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain Slightly above average	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain High	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain Very high	Increased complexity in the own value-added chain n/a (not applicable)

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* 5. How high do you see a need for improvement in your business divisions?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
Purchasing	Purchasing Very low	Purchasing Low	Purchasing Slightly below average	Purchasing Slightly above average	Purchasing High	Purchasing Very high	Purchasing n/a (not applicable)
Production & intralogistics	Production & intralogistics Very low	Production & intralogistics Low	Production & intralogistics Slightly below average	Production & intralogistics Slightly above average	Production & intralogistics High	Production & intralogistics Very high	Production & intralogistics n/a (not applicable)
Logistics	Logistics Very low	Logistics Low	Logistics Slightly below average	Logistics Slightly above average	Logistics High	Logistics Very high	Logistics n/a (not applicable)
IT	IT Very low	IT Low	IT Slightly below average	IT Slightly above average	IT High	IT Very high	IT n/a (not applicable)
Sales & marketing	Sales & marketing Very low	Sales & marketing Low	Sales & marketing Slightly below average	Sales & marketing Slightly above average	Sales & marketing High	Sales & marketing Very high	Sales & marketing n/a (not applicable)
Human resources	Human resources Very low	Human resources Low	Human resources Slightly below average	Human resources Slightly above average	Human resources High	Human resources Very high	Human resources n/a (not applicable)
Corporate management & finances	Corporate management & finances Very low	Corporate management & finances Low	Corporate management & finances Slightly below average	Corporate management & finances Slightly above average	Corporate management & finances High	Corporate management & finances Very high	Corporate management & finances n/a (not applicable)
Product management & development	Product management & development Very low	Product management & development Low	Product management & development Slightly below average	Product management & development Slightly above average	Product management & development High	Product management & development Very high	Product management & development n/a (not applicable)

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* 6. How high do you see the contribution that IT will make to successfully performing the following tasks in your company?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
Reduction of costs	Reduction of costs Very low	Reduction of costs Low	Reduction of costs Slightly below average	Reduction of costs Slightly above average	Reduction of costs High	Reduction of costs Very high	Reduction of costs n/a (not applicable)
Increase of the ability to respond	Increase of the ability to respond Very low	Increase of the ability to respond Low	Increase of the ability to respond Slightly below average	Increase of the ability to respond Slightly above average	Increase of the ability to respond High	Increase of the ability to respond Very high	Increase of the ability to respond n/a (not applicable)
Management of complexity	Management of complexity Very low	Management of complexity Low	Management of complexity Slightly below average	Management of complexity Slightly above average	Management of complexity High	Management of complexity Very high	Management of complexity n/a (not applicable)
Management of your company	Management of your company Very low	Management of your company Low	Management of your company Slightly below average	Management of your company Slightly above average	Management of your company High	Management of your company Very high	Management of your company n/a (not applicable)
Maintenance of quality standards	Maintenance of quality standards Very low	Maintenance of quality standards Low	Maintenance of quality standards Slightly below average	Maintenance of quality standards Slightly above average	Maintenance of quality standards High	Maintenance of quality standards Very high	Maintenance of quality standards n/a (not applicable)
Networking of the supply chain	Networking of the supply chain Very low	Networking of the supply chain Low	Networking of the supply chain Slightly below average	Networking of the supply chain Slightly above average	Networking of the supply chain High	Networking of the supply chain Very high	Networking of the supply chain n/a (not applicable)

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* 7. What is the significance of IT in your company?

Very low

Very high

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 8. How high are the investments in your IT in relation to your sales volume?

	< 0,5%	0,5% - 1%	1% - 1,5%	> 1,5%
Investments in your IT in relation to your sales volume	Investments in your IT in relation to your sales volume < 0,5%	Investments in your IT in relation to your sales volume 0,5% - 1%	Investments in your IT in relation to your sales volume 1% - 1,5%	Investments in your IT in relation to your sales volume > 1,5%

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* 9. What are the three key objectives for investments in new ERP systems at your company?

Key objective 1

Key objective 2

Key objective 3

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* 10. Which of the following themes does your IT currently deal with?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
Traceability	Traceability Very low	Traceability Low	Traceability Slightly below average	Traceability Slightly above average	Traceability High	Traceability Very high	Traceability n/a (not applicable)
Quality management & certification	Quality management & certification Very low	Quality management & certification Low	Quality management & certification Slightly below average	Quality management & certification Slightly above average	Quality management & certification High	Quality management & certification Very high	Quality management & certification n/a (not applicable)
IT security and data protection	IT security and data protection Very low	IT security and data protection Low	IT security and data protection Slightly below average	IT security and data protection Slightly above average	IT security and data protection High	IT security and data protection Very high	IT security and data protection n/a (not applicable)
Cloud	Cloud Very low	Cloud Low	Cloud Slightly below average	Cloud Slightly above average	Cloud High	Cloud Very high	Cloud n/a (not applicable)
FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems Very low	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems Low	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems Slightly below average	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems Slightly above average	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems High	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems Very high	FACTORY ERP® – Convergence of classic ERP and production systems n/a (not applicable)

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* 11. Where do you see improvement potential in your business software (ERP)?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
Depiction of industry-specific processes	Depiction of industry-specific processes Very low	Depiction of industry-specific processes Low	Depiction of industry-specific processes Slightly below average	Depiction of industry-specific processes Slightly above average	Depiction of industry-specific processes High	Depiction of industry-specific processes Very high	Depiction of industry-specific processes n/a (not applicable)
Quick adjustment to new processes	Quick adjustment to new processes Very low	Quick adjustment to new processes Low	Quick adjustment to new processes Slightly below average	Quick adjustment to new processes Slightly above average	Quick adjustment to new processes High	Quick adjustment to new processes Very high	Quick adjustment to new processes n/a (not applicable)
Usability of the business software	Usability of the business software Very low	Usability of the business software Low	Usability of the business software Slightly below average	Usability of the business software Slightly above average	Usability of the business software High	Usability of the business software Very high	Usability of the business software n/a (not applicable)
Release capability	Release capability Very low	Release capability Low	Release capability Slightly below average	Release capability Slightly above average	Release capability High	Release capability Very high	Release capability n/a (not applicable)
Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc.	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. Very low	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. Low	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. Slightly below average	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. Slightly above average	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. High	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. Very high	Connection of hardware such as scales, production machines, etc. n/a (not applicable)
Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics Very low	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics Low	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics Slightly below average	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics Slightly above average	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics High	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics Very high	Use and integration of mobile devices, for example in intralogistics n/a (not applicable)
Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing Very low	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing Low	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing Slightly below average	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing Slightly above average	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing High	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing Very high	Integration of automation solutions and of industrial image processing n/a (not applicable)
Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain Very low	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain Low	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain Slightly below average	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain Slightly above average	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain High	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain Very high	Transparency and management throughout the entire value chain n/a (not applicable)
Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives)	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) Very low	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) Low	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) Slightly below average	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) Slightly above average	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) High	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) Very high	Implementation and documentation of food law requirements (laws, directives) n/a (not applicable)
Integration of external partners	Integration of external partners Very low	Integration of external partners Low	Integration of external partners Slightly below average	Integration of external partners Slightly above average	Integration of external partners High	Integration of external partners Very high	Integration of external partners n/a (not applicable)
Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios)	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) Very low	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) Low	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) Slightly below average	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) Slightly above average	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) High	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) Very high	Predictive capacity (What-if scenarios) n/a (not applicable)
Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics)	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) Very low	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) Low	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) Slightly below average	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) Slightly above average	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) High	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) Very high	Evaluation possibilities (Big Data Analytics) n/a (not applicable)

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* 12. What do you consider as the biggest challenges in the possible implementation of digitalization projects at your company?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities Very low	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities Low	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities Slightly below average	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities Slightly above average	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities High	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities Very high	Missing knowledge of the technical possibilities n/a (not applicable)
Missing competences of your employees	Missing competences of your employees Very low	Missing competences of your employees Low	Missing competences of your employees Slightly below average	Missing competences of your employees Slightly above average	Missing competences of your employees High	Missing competences of your employees Very high	Missing competences of your employees n/a (not applicable)
Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers)	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) Very low	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) Low	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) Slightly below average	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) Slightly above average	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) High	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) Very high	Missing contacts to digital service providers (suppliers) n/a (not applicable)
Capital / other resources	Capital / other resources Very low	Capital / other resources Low	Capital / other resources Slightly below average	Capital / other resources Slightly above average	Capital / other resources High	Capital / other resources Very high	Capital / other resources n/a (not applicable)
Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion)	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) Very low	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) Low	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) Slightly below average	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) Slightly above average	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) High	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) Very high	Missing digital infrastructure (broadband expansion) n/a (not applicable)
Insufficient IT security	Insufficient IT security Very low	Insufficient IT security Low	Insufficient IT security Slightly below average	Insufficient IT security Slightly above average	Insufficient IT security High	Insufficient IT security Very high	Insufficient IT security n/a (not applicable)
Legal uncertainty	Legal uncertainty Very low	Legal uncertainty Low	Legal uncertainty Slightly below average	Legal uncertainty Slightly above average	Legal uncertainty High	Legal uncertainty Very high	Legal uncertainty n/a (not applicable)
Missing norms and standards	Missing norms and standards Very low	Missing norms and standards Low	Missing norms and standards Slightly below average	Missing norms and standards Slightly above average	Missing norms and standards High	Missing norms and standards Very high	Missing norms and standards n/a (not applicable)
Interfaces to customers and suppliers	Interfaces to customers and suppliers Very low	Interfaces to customers and suppliers Low	Interfaces to customers and suppliers Slightly below average	Interfaces to customers and suppliers Slightly above average	Interfaces to customers and suppliers High	Interfaces to customers and suppliers Very high	Interfaces to customers and suppliers n/a (not applicable)
Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers Very low	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers Low	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers Slightly below average	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers Slightly above average	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers High	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers Very high	Missing knowledge about the purchasing behavior of consumers n/a (not applicable)

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Which scenario do you feel is probable?

Digital transformation has brought manufacturers and consumers closer together over the last 20 years. Ordering directly from the manufacturer has become a standard today. Networked production has established the technological basis so manufacturers can produce more and more customized food at a reasonable cost.

In 20 years, trade will be the big winner of digitalization, with bricks and mortar stores and online shops supplementing each other. Retailers, too, offer individualized products to attract consumers to their stores. The price continues to be the most important purchase criterion.

The platform economy has completely changed the market structures in the food industry. Besides the big players like Amazon and Alibaba, some food-specific platforms have established a firm foothold. Manufacturers as well as retailers use the platforms to sell their products.

The start of Industry 4.0 is promising, but it will not have had the predicted effect in the food industry 20 years from now. A few efficiency improvements will have been introduced in production and in the supply chain. However, the market will not change significantly as a result of digitalization.

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* 14. How do your rate the future potential of the following technologies for the food industry?

	Very low	Low	Slightly below average	Slightly above average	High	Very high	n/a (not applicable)
3D printer	3D printer Very low	3D printer Low	3D printer Slightly below average	3D printer Slightly above average	3D printer High	3D printer Very high	3D printer n/a (not applicable)
Blockchain	Blockchain Very low	Blockchain Low	Blockchain Slightly below average	Blockchain Slightly above average	Blockchain High	Blockchain Very high	Blockchain n/a (not applicable)
Collaborative robots	Collaborative robots Very low	Collaborative robots Low	Collaborative robots Slightly below average	Collaborative robots Slightly above average	Collaborative robots High	Collaborative robots Very high	Collaborative robots n/a (not applicable)
Artificial intelligence	Artificial intelligence Very low	Artificial intelligence Low	Artificial intelligence Slightly below average	Artificial intelligence Slightly above average	Artificial intelligence High	Artificial intelligence Very high	Artificial intelligence n/a (not applicable)

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* 15. In which industry are you active?

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* 16. Are you more active in trade or as a manufacturing company?

Food retail

Wholesalers

More trade, but also manufacturer

More manufacturer, but also trade

Manufacturing company

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* 17. How high is your company's sales volume

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* 18. How many members of staff does your company employ?

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* 19. In which country is your company based?

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* 20. What is your function within the company?

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* 21. E-mail address

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