Next week, Excel London will once again host the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week from 17-19 March. This premier trade event has been a cornerstone for food industry professionals for over 40 years and this year is no exception, presenting substantive resources to industrial bakers pursuing innovation, networking opportunities and market intelligence.

Why Industrial Bakers Should Attend

As someone deeply involved in the industrial baking sector, I'm particularly excited about IFE's dedicated Bakery, Snacks & Confectionery section. This specialised zone will showcase leading bakery brands from around the world, offering the perfect opportunity to discover emerging trends, new technologies and potential business partnerships.

There is an impressive lineup of exhibitors spanning traditional artisanal techniques to cutting-edge gluten-free and vegan offerings. With 15 dedicated food and drink zones reflecting the industry's diversity, there's something for every aspect of the industrial bakery business.

Future Food Stage

The Future Food Stage represents a particular highlight for forward-thinking industrial bakers. This year's agenda focuses on critical developments shaping consumer preferences and purchasing behaviours—information that can directly inform product development strategies and market positioning.

I'm especially looking forward to Kate Kehoe's presentation on "Consumer Trends in 2025," where she will discuss shifting consumer priorities that will influence purchasing decisions throughout the year. Understanding these trends is crucial for industrial bakers looking to stay ahead of market demands.

The panel discussion on "Forgotten Shoppers: Embracing Overlooked Demographics" also caught my attention. As our industry continues to evolve, identifying untapped consumer segments with significant spending potential, this could reveal new market opportunities for industrial baking operations.

Notable Bakery Exhibitors Worth Visiting

Several exhibitors have already piqued my interest:

Di Marco - Making their IFE debut, Di Marco will be showcasing their renowned Pinsa bases. Their proprietary blend of wheat, soy and rice flours, combined with their secret mother dough formula that could give industrial bakers the opportunity to use premium artisanal techniques which could be scaled for larger operations.

Bridor - This French manufacturer of high-quality frozen Viennese pastries, breads and macarons provides excellent benchmarks for industrial bakers looking to elevate quality while maintaining production efficiency.

Haywood & Padgett - Producing an impressive 80,000 traditional scones per hour, this South Yorkshire-based family bakery demonstrates how traditional products can be successfully scaled for industrial production without compromising quality.

7 Muffins a Day - For industrial bakers exploring the growing free-from market, this dedicated gluten-free and dairy-free bakery hopes to offer specialised production techniques and formulations.

Lika Bakery - Their use of traditional Lebanese techniques adapted for larger-scale production showcases how authentic ethnic products can be successfully integrated into industrial baking operations.

Innovation Through Collaboration

The session "Revolutionising Retail: How Accelerators and Incubators Are Shaping the Future" will be of great interest. As supermarket and wholesaler incubators increasingly support bakery startups, understanding these pathways to market could provide industrial bakers with new opportunities for product development and distribution partnerships.

Looking Forward to IFE 2025

As we prepare for IFE 2025, I'm eager to walk the exhibition floor, engage with fellow professionals and discover the innovations that will shape our industry in the coming years. The event offers an unparalleled opportunity to gather competitive intelligence, identify emerging trends and build relationships for future collaborations.

Whether you're interested in expanding your product range, optimising production processes, or simply staying informed about industry developments, IFE 2025 promises to be a must for industrial baking professionals at every level.

I hope to see many fellow Baking Europe readers at Excel London next week. For those planning to attend, I recommend registering for a complimentary trade ticket at ife.co.uk and mapping out your visit to maximise your visit