In the fast-paced world of food manufacturing, efficiency, traceability, and compliance are paramount. When Huel, a leading provider of nutritionally complete food, sought to enhance their manufacturing operations, they turned to CeeD Member Virtual Manufacturing UK Ltd to implement a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). Delivered on schedule and within budget, this project stands as a testament to effective MES deployment – something that, unfortunately, is far from the industry norm.
MES Implementation: A Rare Success Story
MES projects are notorious for overruns in both time and cost. Many manufacturers embark on MES implementations with high expectations, only to encounter unforeseen complexities, integration challenges, and scope creep. The reality is that delays and budget overruns are common, often due to a lack of clear requirements, insufficient stakeholder alignment, or underestimating the effort required for seamless integration with existing systems.
Virtual Manufacturing UK Ltd defied these challenges by delivering an MES tailored to Huel’s unique operational needs – on time and within budget. This achievement highlights the importance of a well-structured approach, clear communication, and in-depth industry expertise.
“As a new factory, we set out to create a modern, paperless environment where every system worked together effortlessly from day one. The MES seamlessly integrated with our ERP and WMS, enabling smooth data flow, eliminating silos, and providing a single, reliable source of truth for our daily operations. It has delivered clarity, efficiency, and confidence to our manufacturing processes – laying the foundation for long-term success.” – Liam Nicholson, IT & Projects Director added
What Makes MES Critical for Food Manufacturers?
Unlike other industries, food production comes with strict regulatory requirements, shelf-life constraints, and the need for end-to-end traceability. An MES tailored for food manufacturing must address several critical factors:
- Traceability & Compliance: Food manufacturers must meet stringent safety regulations, requiring real-time tracking of ingredients, batches, and production processes to ensure compliance with bodies like the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and BRC Global Standards.
- Real-time Quality Control: Ensuring product consistency and safety is crucial. MES solutions must facilitate immediate detection of quality issues, preventing costly recalls and waste.
- Production Efficiency: Reducing downtime and ensuring optimal production scheduling is essential to meet consumer demand while controlling costs.
- Integration with Existing Systems: MES must seamlessly connect with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and shop-floor machinery to create a unified digital ecosystem.
As a new operation, ensuring food safety and full traceability was a top priority from day one. The MES has given us complete visibility over our processes, allowing us to track ingredients in real time and maintain compliance with food safety regulations from the start. It has definitely reduced a number of user errors which could have happened using more manual processes. Our focus now with Virtual is to keep iterating and improving the system with feedback from the manufacturing team” – Gemma Hollins, Senior Project Manager commented “
Huel’s MES implementation by Virtual Manufacturing UK Ltd showcases how a well-executed project can drive tangible benefits in food production. By focusing on industry-specific requirements, leveraging deep expertise, and maintaining a structured approach, MES projects can deliver real value—on time and within budget.
Looking Ahead
As more food manufacturers embrace digital transformation, MES will play a crucial role in ensuring efficiency, compliance, and product quality. Virtual Manufacturing UK Ltd’s success with Huel demonstrates that, with the right approach, MES projects can defy the norm and deliver exceptional results.
If you’re considering MES for your operations, partnering with a specialist who understands the complexities of food manufacturing is key. Get in touch with Virtual Manufacturing UK Ltd to explore how they can help optimize your production processes for success.