Focus on Food Safety From Farm to Fork Creates Market Opportunities for Cleaning/Sanitizing Industry - US - The food industry's efforts to maintain the integrity of the nation's food supply and allay consumer concerns have helped to drive the overall market for cleaning and sanitizing chemicals used in food processing to nearly $1 billion in 2005.

Initial forecasts from a newly proposed study by Kline & Company indicate that growth will continue at a steady and measured pace over the next five years. This presents significant opportunities for cleaning product manufacturers that can provide value-added sales and service.

"Where they will win is in their ability to provide value-added services, like sending experienced technicians and service organizations out to adapt chemical programs to fit the specific needs of food processors," says Bruce Boynick, senior associate in Kline's Industrial and Institutional Cleaning Products practice.

News reports of food contamination in restaurants, supermarkets, and food processing plants are leading food makers to place a higher priority on food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness. This in turn compels manufacturers of the cleaning and sanitizing products to deliver quality chemistry backed with technical expertise and excellent customer service in order maintain their piece of the pie in this growing market.

The heightened focus on food safety has generated valuable opportunities for the cleaning and sanitizing products industry. Kline's study, FOOD PROCESSING CLEANING PRODUCTS USA 2005, will examine the market for food processing cleaning products at each level of the production chain, from farm to fork.

"The food industry is one of the largest vertically integrated markets in the United States -- a bulwark of the economy in terms of contributing to the gross domestic product and employment base," Boynick says. "It is a leading industry in terms of market size, characterized by steady and measured growth."

The market for cleaning and sanitizing products is led by Ecolab, followed by other major suppliers like JohnsonDiversey, De Lavel, and the Zep business of Acuity Products. Boynick says that the industry does exhibit some segmentation, however, with niche players and local and regional suppliers maintaining a noteworthy presence in the market. The Kline study will examine the market effects of this segmentation, along with other trends like supplier and end-user consolidation.

In addition to the cleaning and sanitizing products used in food processing at plants, restaurants, and supermarkets, the Kline study will also examine the interplay of water treatment chemicals within the industry.

"Food processing plants are often large facilities with significant water treatment needs, and this flavors the competitive dynamic," Boynick says. "There are companies that lead with cleaning and sanitizing chemicals and others that lead with water treatment products. One of the things we'll be looking at is whether companies are looking to deliver integrated capabilities and whether customers are interested in this integration."

Source: PRNewswire - 15th June 2005