The Food and Drink Federation’s latest State of Industry Report for Q1 2025 shows just how much workforce challenges are shaping the sector. From rising wage costs to persistent staffing gaps, food and drink manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less. In this climate, making the most of your existing workforce is essential.
Headline stats from the report:
- 61% of food and drink manufacturers are facing ongoing staffing challenges
- 73% report rising wage pressures since the start of 2025
- 58% are actively investing in automation or efficiency improvements to ease staff-related strain
What’s driving the shift?
While inflation and energy costs remain significant, the report makes it clear that workforce pressures are now a central concern. Whether it’s site-specific staffing gaps or the need for greater flexibility, manufacturers are having to rethink how they manage and support their teams across shifts, departments and locations.
Why this matters for operations and compliance
Manual workforce management leaves little room for flexibility. When shift scheduling, time tracking and compliance checks rely on outdated systems, it becomes harder to:
- Ensure compliance with Working Time Regulations and rest break rules
- Stay responsive to staff absence or seasonal peaks
- Reduce errors and overheads in payroll and admin
- Give your teams clarity over shifts and hours
How Crown can help
At Crown, we’re helping food and drink manufacturers bring clarity and control to workforce planning. Our time and attendance tools are built for shift-based environments, making it easier to keep operations running smoothly while reducing compliance risk and admin time.
Looking ahead
With Q1’s data showing continued pressure across the board, digital workforce solutions are no longer optional. They’re the key to staying resilient in a competitive market.
