IFE Manufacturing was once again a must-attend event for brand owners and manufacturers looking to source the latest packaging, ingredients, technology, and manufacturing solutions when the show returned to Excel London on 17-19 March.  

As part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the event brought together over 150 innovative suppliers from across the food and drink supply chain. Attendees had the opportunity to discover cutting-edge solutions, network with industry leaders, and gain insights into the latest trends shaping the sector. 

For many buyers, the event was an invaluable opportunity to meet suppliers, discover new ingredients, and streamline sourcing processes. "It was my first time going to the event and it was really inspiring to see new products and opportunities whilst meeting new suppliers, it has really helped with my NPD work," said Rebecca Pennington, NPD Buyer at Finsbury Foods. 

Sarah Price, NPD at Black Sheep Coffee, highlighted the efficiency of the show, stating: "This year's event provided an invaluable opportunity to schedule multiple supplier meetings in a single day and location, making it incredibly efficient. There was a good variety of exhibitors, and I was pleased to discover two new ingredients I'd been searching for without success, proving that sometimes, you can’t find everything online!" 

Zoe Murphy, NPD Technologist at Avondale Foods, added: "I enjoyed it as it was a brilliant opportunity to network and build relations with current suppliers, meet with new potential suppliers and source ingredients that otherwise would have been hard to find going through the usual process." 

Beyond the bustling show floor, IFE Manufacturing featured a range of carefully curated content designed to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to stay ahead.  

The Trends & Innovation Platform played a central role, offering expert-led discussions on AI in manufacturing, supply chain resilience, sustainability, and industry best practices. 

The discussion on AI in manufacturing explored how artificial intelligence is transforming operations, with insights from industry leaders including Richard Werran of BSI, Alina Sartogo of The Wonki Collective, and Paul Wilson of Scorpion Vision Ltd. 

Another highlight was the session on supply chain resilience, which examined why strong supplier relationships are key to security and efficiency in today’s food industry. This discussion was led by Clare Otridge of Grounded Research and featured insights from Ed Whelpton of Bold Bean Co., Philip Gibson of Twig Strategic Communications, and Ros Heathcote of Borough Broth. 

Sustainability was a key theme at the event, with a dedicated session exploring the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to net zero in food systems. Speakers including Dr. Isabel Divanna of The Carbon Trust, Jason Danciger of Hana Group, and Nick Brown of Premier Foods shared the latest strategies for reducing emissions and improving sustainability across the sector. 

The importance of resilience in food and drink supply chains was another major focus, with industry leaders from Nestlé UK&I, Helios, and Hilton Food Group discussing how businesses can navigate global disruptions from climate change to geopolitical instability. 

IFE Manufacturing 2025 was also a stage for celebrating innovation. The World Food Innovation Awards, in partnership with FoodBev Media, recognised some of the most creative and impactful new products in the international food and beverage sector. 

Meanwhile, the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards, in association with the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), celebrated excellence in food and drink ingredients across six categories, culminating in an overall winner announcement. 

Export insights for the food & drink sector 

At the heart of IFE Manufacturing was the show’s Exporters Hub, where organisations including the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), the Food & Drink Exporters Association, European Food and Farming Partnerships, the Food & Drink Federation, the British Frozen Food Federation, the International Chamber of Commerce – UK and many more debated the hottest topics in global trade.  

Mark Burkett, Export Academy Advisor for the Department for Business & Trade, commented: "As always there was a real tangible spirit of British businesses looking to showcase their products to the world. This year there was plenty of innovation on display and that all points to a bright future. My ‘fireside chat’ was well received, and my guests demonstrated the very best of British authenticity. As they reflected on, these products are selling well around the world. 

“British products, and services, are still wanted and sought after around the globe. We at the UK Export Academy and the wider DBT are ready and poised to help British companies take on the world." 

The Department for Business & Trade also hosted a free capability building and networking event as part of IFE and IFE Manufacturing, designed exclusively for the food and drink sector. The event was a unique opportunity to learn from business leaders, peers and industry experts on how to successfully grow food & drink businesses overseas. 

IFE Manufacturing takes place alongside IFE, The Pub Show, HRC, Hospitality Tech360 and International Salon Culinaire as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Find out more about everything happening as part of next year’s event and register your interest at ifemanufacturing.co.uk. IFE Manufacturing 2026 will take place from 30 March - 1 April at Excel London.