With artificial intelligence (AI) assuming a central role across many industries, ITC is leveraging its expertise to transform its dairy and beverage supply chain through several means. Digital applied sciences, in conjunction with AI-powered sensors and machine learning algorithms, may help monitor and maintain product quality throughout the manufacturing process, according to Sanjay Singal, COO, Dairy & Drinks, ITC Meals.
He describes how the company uses artificial intelligence (AI) in its dairy and beverage manufacturing services to ensure product quality through tools that correlate to visible inspection programs and real-time monitoring with suggestion mechanisms in an interview with ET Digital. Revised passages:
Financial Instances (ET): A few years ago, inflationary headwinds faced many ITC classes, including dairy and beverages. In what ways did ITC reduce costs along the value chain?
Sanjay Singal (SS): Being a customer-focused company, we concentrated on strategies that allowed us to minimize the related cost across the value chain so that we wouldn’t burden customers. To counteract any influence, entirely distinct price vectors have been assessed at every point along the value chain. We implemented cost-effective solutions throughout the whole supply chain and manufacturing process to save consumers from the impact of inflation.
ET: How do you want to expand your line of dairy products and beverages in India?
SS: In keeping with ITC’s mission to provide consumers with innovative and healthful products, we introduced a line of fruit-based drinks this year called smoothies, which include bits of fruit and seeds. It seems that customer preference for dairy-based and hydration products increased.
We’re going to keep using ITC’s R&D expertise, manufacturing prowess, and digital capabilities to create better customer insights and innovation while providing customers with enjoyable products.
ET: What role may artificial intelligence (AI) play in the supply chain for dairy and beverages?
SS: Synthetic intelligence (AI) combined with expertise has the potential to completely transform the dairy and beverage supply chain in a variety of ways. It encompasses every aspect of the value chain, including demand forecasting, supply chain and manufacturing management, market and customer demand analysis, and sustainability through resource optimization across all ranges.
At ITC, providing exceptional quality is a fundamental component. AI-powered sensors and machine learning algorithms, along with digital applied sciences, can help monitor and maintain product quality throughout the manufacturing process. In order to ensure product quality, we are utilizing AI in our dairy and beverage manufacturing services. We do this by using tools like real-time monitoring with suggestion mechanisms and visible inspection programs. With the use of AI, traceability and transparency—two important dimensions in the meals class—may be solved. A clear and unchangeable record of the product’s journey can be presented using blockchain expertise—typically combined with AI—ensuring authenticity, security, and compliance.
ET: How is ITC implementing sustainable manufacturing practices and options for production?
SS: Considering that ITC considers sustainability 2.0 to be one of its strategic competitiveness pillars, there are several reasons to embrace sustainable solutions in manufacturing and production. Reworking supply chain, sourcing, logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing programs into a robust and adaptable next-generation related platform is one of the interventions.
