Spare parts inventory must be understood backward, but it must be planned forward.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consumer purchase behavior has shifted to more retail and less foodservice, and ground products have been go-to-products for people sheltering in place. In turn, increased demands to meet production needs are challenging processors to keep grinding and stuffing equipment highly operational at top speeds.

Poultry, pork and beef processors are experimenting today with more automation and robotics in cutting and deboning operations, which will, they hope, lead to increased speed, efficiencies, worker safety and food safety.