Metrics for identifying the most suitable strategy for distributed localised food manufacturing

The globalisation of manufacturing systems has generated many economic benefits, but in some areas such as the food sector, it has also increased resource requirements to manufacture, preserve and transport raw ingredients as well as finished products. ‘Distributed Localised Manufacturing’ (DLM) has been identified as a potential solution for the food sector to adopt a more sustainable approach based on a make-to-order manufacturing strategy. This has the potential to minimise food waste, optimise resource usage, and support product customisation. However, DLM performance analysis at product, process and system levels is vital to ensure its long-term ecological and economic viability. This paper highlights four possible models for implementation of DLM in the food sector, defines nine key metrics to aid with selection of the most suitable DLM model for a specific food product family, and explores metrics future applications to support long-term sustainability of food manufacturing.