Key Business Outlooks For 2025: Tim Kane, President and CEO, Goodway Technologies
I'm proud of how our team has navigated these continuing global challenges and the resiliency our team members and customers have displayed. We've maintained strong performance by staying true to our mission of delivering innovative, high-quality solutions tailored to our customers' evolving needs.
I’m proud of how our team has navigated these continuing global challenges and the resiliency our team members and customers have displayed. We’ve maintained strong performance by staying true to our mission of delivering innovative, high-quality solutions tailored to our customers’ evolving needs.
As we step into 2025, the baking industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by shifting consumer preferences, sustainability demands, and technological advancements. To gain a clearer picture of what lies ahead, we spoke with industry leaders, from large-scale manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and technology innovators to professional associations that push the industry’s objectives on the public agenda.
In this special section, experts share their perspectives on the biggest trends shaping the market—from the growing demand for clean-label and plant-based products to innovations in precision fermentation, upcycled ingredients, and AI-driven production processes. They discuss how economic pressures, supply chain challenges, and sustainability goals are reshaping business strategies and what opportunities lie ahead for bakeries of all sizes.
Will 2025 be the year of functional baked goods? How will automation and digitalization continue to transform operations? And what role will climate-conscious sourcing play in consumer decision-making? Our panel of industry insiders weighs in on these critical questions, offering valuable insights to help businesses navigate the evolving landscape.
Read on for exclusive interviews with the visionaries shaping the future of baking.
Tim Kane, President and CEO, Goodway Technologies
Considering market volatility, supply chain disruptions, energy costs, and workforce challenges, how would you assess your company’s performance over the past year?
I’m proud of how our team has navigated these continuing global challenges and the resiliency our team members and customers have displayed. We’ve maintained strong performance by staying true to our mission of delivering innovative, high-quality solutions tailored to our customers’ evolving needs. This agility has also allowed us to introduce new dry steam and vacuum technologies that enhance cleaning efficiency and reduce labor costs — critical factors for our customers in today’s cost-sensitive environment.
What are your expectations for 2025, taking into account the lingering impacts of 2024 and the evolving market dynamics?
2024 saw significant focus across the globe on increasing labor costs and how automated solutions could drive significant cost savings, as well as efficiency gains. Additionally, safety concerns and increasing oversight in safe food production have created a stronger environment for cleanliness. Our dry steam, conveyor belt cleaning, and specialized industrial vacuum cleaner solutions combine to deliver state-of-the-art cleaning and sanitation solutions that exceed cleaning needs and reduce customer labor costs.
What have been your primary growth drivers over the past year, and what is the most significant lesson you’ve learned in managing your operations?
Expansion of global trends in convenience, packaged baked and confectionary goods, and a focus on cleanliness are the biggest impact drivers to our business. And these are trends that are set to continue for years to come. As we develop market solutions to meet our customer’s needs, the most significant lesson learned has been to put aside assumptions and work with each customer to understand their challenges and needs.
What unexpected developments occurred in 2024, and how did they influence your business operations or strategies?
Goodway Technologies was not immune to challenges that many in the industry faced, namely labor shortages, increased labor costs, and continued fluctuation of raw material costs. We invested in our production facilities to meet demand and invested heavily in engineering and R&D to meet our customer’s unique needs.
From your perspective, what policy, regulatory, or market shifts would most benefit the baking sector in 2025, enabling businesses like yours to thrive?
Stronger sanitation regulations, driven by recent food recalls, would benefit the baking sector by improving safety standards and consumer confidence. Policies focused on allergen control and microbial prevention align with Goodway’s mission to provide advanced cleaning solutions and education to help bakeries stay compliant and efficient.