As food & drink manufacturers strive to grow their businesses, additional space for training and development can be at a premium... but there is a solution.
The food & drink manufacturing sector in the UK has grown tremendously over the past 10 years, with a reported £37bn contributed to the UK economy. This has accounted for around 18% of growth in this sector.
But growth doesn’t come without challenges, and food & drink manufacturers face concerns such as the rising cost of produce, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, an increase in sustainability demands and having quality infrastructure in place.
So how can a business grow in a way that minimises risk and even turns uncertainty into opportunity?
Understanding the shifting landscape
Operational resilience has never been more critical. Current labour shortages continue to have an impact on production lines, with the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) reporting a rise in shortages in Q1 (2025) from 3.6% to 3.9%, a rate that is considerably higher than the broader UK manufacturing sector overall (2.4%).
Meanwhile, innovation in automation and new digital demands mean that employee training and development is crucial for staff retention and must be considered as a high priority. This, alongside the increasing regulatory expectations around food safety, means that food & drink businesses must remain agile and flex in response to shifting market demands.
The space to succeed
In a sector that is constantly evolving, traditional buildings cannot always keep up the pace, especially when speed, scale and compliance are at the top of the priority list for manufacturers in the food & drink sector. This is when a modular solution really proves its worth.
As a trusted supplier to some of the UK’s food & drink manufacturers, Portakabin® understands how smart, flexible spaces can directly support businesses’ continuity and growth.
Kim Panton, People and Culture Director at Portakabin, comments: “Space is no longer an afterthought – it’s a main contributor to a successful workforce. So, whether you’re looking to retain staff or improve/expand on current facilities, the right space at the right time can ease that pressure.”
Enhanced training facilities to stay on top
As the food and drink manufacturing sector employs around 485,000 people and contributes so significantly to the manufacturing market, keeping up to date with food safety protocols, compliance requirements and even new technologies is non-negotiable. And that’s why even small enhancements to training facilities and work environments, can go a long way towards staff wellbeing.
With modular training facilities from Portakabin, manufacturers can create purpose-built spaces (on-site or nearby) to deliver essential training without disrupting operations. These spaces can be designed to mimic real-world environments and, more importantly, can be reconfigured as the needs of the business evolve.
Aidan Pearce, Head of Design, Engineering & Innovation at Portakabin, comments: “The flexibility of modular and the ability to scale up or down your facility depending on your requirements, is a smart way to invest in risk-free growth. Combining that with the turnkey service Portakabin can provide in a matter of days means business productivity isn’t interrupted, and disruption is kept to a minimum.”
Smart work environments
With labour shortages becoming a growing concern in the industry, the FDF has urged the government to take decisive action when addressing growth concerns, one of those being access to and retention of highly skilled talent.
“Spaces in the workplace, including welfare facilities and cafeterias, must incorporate elements like natural light, break-out areas and temperature-controlled settings,” says Pearce. “Expanding the focus beyond industrial requirements, will really impact staff wellbeing and morale.”
So, when AG Barr – a soft drinks business known for brands such as Irn-Bru, Rubicon and Strathmore Spring water – required a unique, flexible office and meeting space, it turned to Portakabin to provide a solution.
Within less than four weeks, Portakabin provided two bespoke buildings within the company’s distribution centre, complete with a spacious office wrapped in its iconic branding. Installed within AG Barr’s distribution centre, the operation was challenging but the result was a win – essential additional space for the team to grow.
“The Portakabin team was very responsive,” says Tim Stacey, Factory Manager at AG Barr. “It’s great to have the option to personalise the buildings with our branding. The wraps were straightforward and complement our modern production facilities.”
Your partner in resilience and growth
Reducing risk isn’t about doing less, it’s about doing more but in a strategic, safe, and compliant way. At Portakabin, we don’t just provide buildings, we provide confidence and a space for your business and people to thrive. You can trust that your space will be compliant, scalable, and completely adaptable to your needs.
The future of the food & drink manufacturing industry in the UK is resilient and ready to grow, and with the right space, it’s risk-free too.
You can access our free Business Resilience Guide here that offers tips and advice on how to adapt to challenges, manage your risks and how to put your plan in to practice.