DECISION-MAKING TOOLS EXAM
Microsoft Word - Exam_v3.doc EMBA McGill–HEC Montreal Decision-Making Tools Module Fall 2021 Tools Page 1 of 32 Exam EXAM Due by: 5pm on Dec 7, 2021 Take-home Please read the following instructions BEFORE you begin: This is an open-book but closed-people [no discussion with anyone] exam If you have questions re the questions, please email
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[email protected] You may submit in English or French Please show ALL your thinking and calculations. You will do GREAT! Good luck!! Amazing Participant Name: ________________________________________________ (Family name, First name) For grader use only Q1 Q2 30 35 100TOTAL Q3 35 Tools Page 2 of 32 Exam QUESTION 1 (30 points, Approx 2 hours for analysis and writing) The article below sourced from https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/articles/99607-the-automation-of-alternative-protein The Automation of Alternative Protein Processors turn to automation to provide next-generation, smart factory solutions Powder made from crickets. Photo courtesy of Getty Images / Arisa Thepbanchornchai August 30, 2021 Kristen Kazarian A new report by Meticulous Research reveals that the Alternative Protein Market is expected to reach $27.05 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period 2020-2027. A major shift in the global market’s consumer behavior is increasing interest in alternative protein sources from plant-based to insects. Also, a growing number of people are turning to products that are less taxing on the environment. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, plant-based food makers were attracting investment from venture capital firms and major established meat supply companies. Investments in alternative-protein manufacturing companies have risen in recent years, as numerous start-ups sell plant-based proteins. Nestle, Cargill and Tyson Foods have all been developing plant-based meat brands alongside their more traditional meat products. And even after the pandemic hit, some plant-based meat manufacturing companies announced new investments. For instance, Impossible Foods raised US $500 million in funding to develop new plant-based meat alternatives in lamb, goat and fish. We spoke with a couple of automation suppliers to understand the role it plays in alternative protein production. Lee Coffey, Marketing Development Manager—Food & Beverage, Rockwell Automation says that plant-based meat companies face a unique challenge in that they’re oftentimes attempting to develop a product that mimics the taste, texture and appearance of traditional animal protein. “To achieve this, processors usually need to combine up to 20 ingredients, including binding agents, texturizers and stabilizers. However, as some traditional protein manufacturers transition to incorporate plant-based proteins manufacturing, they must increase their expertise around ingredient storage, handling and batching,” Coffey says. Automation and digital transformation solutions will play an increasingly important role in helping the alternative protein industry reduce its cost structure to a point that allows for closer price parity, and thus greater consumer adoption, to animal protein. So what of the equipment and process behind alternative protein production? AVEVA’s Ted Combs, Industry Principal for CPG and Food & Beverage, AVEVA, and formerly Products Industry VP at SAP and Consumer Goods Managing Director at Microsoft, says that the solutions for alternative protein such as plants and animal-based are practically the same. “The solutions are essentially the same, but the requirements and constraints may differ. For example, genuine protein Tools Page 3 of 32 Exam products decompose faster, have different foodborne illnesses to guard against, and have much more variability in size and shape,” he says. “This may create more opportunities for alternative protein manufacturers, and additionally give them less to worry about. Thus, robotics and AI may be easier to apply.” The use of automation can add to your production process in ways you may not be aware of. Photo courtesy of AVEVA Coffey agrees. “Alternatively, plant-based meat facilities typically employ fewer workers and utilize more automation to assemble various ingredients into a final product. Alternative meat products can also have a different texture or appearance (as compared to animal protein) that require specific quality control and inspection guidelines.” He adds that automation technologies like a manufacturing execution system (MES) can provide the necessary visibility to meet front-end ingredient requirements by building in ingredient tracking, tracing, quality and recipe management. Combs does add that refrigeration needs throughout the supply chain process would likely change. How is the cold chain different? By automating the full process, companies are able to digitally maintain order, effectiveness, and quality in their plant operations. AVEVA offers a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), which allows companies to streamline order flow and production execution, track the transformation of products from raw materials to finished goods, and evaluate and analyze yield, quality and plant resource utilization. “Danone Specialized Nutrition was able to digitally transform its processes with AVEVA MES,” says Combs. Coffey believes that an excellent MES or batch solution is even more important in alternative protein due to the number of ingredients, variables and additional complexities of creating meat taste out of plants. “Traditional protein processing may have some ingredient additives and variables but nothing like plant-based proteins, which include grain variables, grain quality, moisture content control, flavor additives and more. Current protein facilities aren’t necessarily equipped to manage the different processes and volumes of ingredients needed for plant proteins. Aquent Studio-Rockwell: Rockwell’s FactoryTalk Innovation Suite, powered by PTC, collects and consolidates information technology (IT) with operational technology (OT) to allow customers to make data-driven decisions and improve workforce productivity. Rockwell’s FactoryTalk Innovation Suite, powered by PTC, collects and consolidates information technology (IT) with operational technology (OT) to allow customers to make data-driven decisions and improve workforce productivity. Photo courtesy of Aquent Studio-Rockwell Rockwell’s FactoryTalk Innovation Suite, powered by PTC, is one solution that collects and consolidates information technology (IT) with operational technology (OT) to allow customers to make data-driven decisions and improve workforce productivity. As the tough workforce continues, many have begun to leverage augmented reality solutions to digitize work instructions and more effectively transfer knowledge between subject matter experts and new/inexperienced employees, thus reducing onboarding time and improving workforce productivity, says Coffey. With regard to the protein quality, Combs says that there is a variety of biologic processes going on that may require new sensors to create opportunities to manage the process with greater output, control and yield. The COVID-19 pandemic may also have had less effect on cell culture-based meat product manufacturing because Tools Page 4 of 32 Exam employees work in cleanroom environments, Coffey says. Due to safety guidelines within these environments, manufacturing employees are more accustomed to gowning and masking requirements commonly used in biomanufacturing, reducing the risk of infection and outbreak. Additionally, as more companies begin to connect assets throughout their organization with IIoT technology, it is leading to the advancement of powerful artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms that leverage this information to make better, more informed, real-time decisions that improve yield, productivity and quality. Brands featuring plant-based proteins must contend with diverse and often conflicting consumer preferences, according to the May 2020 Plant-Based Proteins report from Mintel Group, a global market research firm. The report shows the majority of adults think animal meat is the best source of protein. However, many other consumers believe plant-based meats also can be a strong protein source, but a significant number say meat substitutes are overly processed. “This is especially true of consumers who avoid or limit meat consumption, creating an obstacle for brands hoping to win over this small but potentially loyal demographic,” Mintel reports. Could this be where insect-based protein comes in? It sure could. Nothing but crickets Aspire Food Group is a global leader in advanced insect agriculture, using technology to unleash the potential of raw materials from insects that provide better nutrition for people, pets and plants. With a focus on global