NAFEM 2025 brought together the brightest minds in commercial food equipment, showcasing the latest innovations set to reshape the industry. From smarter equipment management to enhanced energy efficiency, this year’s show confirmed that the Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) looking to stay competitive and provide more value to their customers.
At Mesh Systems, we engaged with leading equipment manufacturers, industry leaders, and technology innovators to discuss how connectivity is driving the next era of food equipment.
Here are the key trends we observed at NAFEM 2025 and how IoT is transforming OEM strategies:
1. OEMs Are Focused on Innovation to Serve Core Customers
Many OEMs at NAFEM 2025 are rethinking their approach to innovation. While there’s a perception that foodservice equipment remains largely unchanged, manufacturers are introducing new technologies designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service models. IoT is at the center of this transformation, providing real-time data insights that help OEMs optimize product performance, streamline maintenance, and deliver proactive support.
2. Connected Products Are Becoming the Standard
OEMs are rapidly integrating IoT into their products to provide remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and usage analytics. These capabilities reduce downtime, improve service efficiency, and create new opportunities for manufacturers to offer value-added services. Equipment that lacks connectivity is increasingly viewed as outdated, making IoT an essential component of any competitive product strategy.
3. Data-Driven Decision-Making is a Competitive Advantage
NAFEM 2025 reinforced that data is the key to unlocking greater efficiency and performance in commercial food equipment. With IoT-enabled devices capturing real-time operational data, OEMs can offer better visibility into equipment usage, automate service responses, and provide customers with actionable insights. Those leveraging IoT effectively will not only improve their products but also create new revenue opportunities through data-driven services.
4. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Are Top Priorities
With increasing regulations and rising energy costs, sustainability took center stage at NAFEM 2025. Food equipment manufacturers are under pressure to optimize energy usage, reduce waste, and create more eco-friendly solutions. IoT plays a crucial role in tracking real-time energy consumption, identifying inefficiencies, and enabling automated adjustments that help customers lower costs while meeting sustainability goals.
5. AI is the Next Opportunity for IoT-Enabled Equipment
While much of the discussion at NAFEM 2025 centered on IoT, AI was an underexplored topic. Forward-thinking OEMs who integrate AI into their connected product strategies will gain a significant advantage. AI-driven analytics, automated decision-making, and predictive service capabilities can help manufacturers optimize their offerings and provide even greater value to customers.
6. Seamless Interoperability is a Must
As commercial food equipment becomes more connected, interoperability remains a critical challenge. OEMs need solutions that ensure different IoT-enabled systems, devices, and software platforms work together seamlessly. Standardized, scalable IoT architectures are essential for supporting a growing network of connected products without introducing complexity for end users.
How Mesh Systems Helps
Mesh Systems delivers full-stack IoT solutions that help food equipment manufacturers optimize efficiency, enhance sustainability, and create differentiated product offerings. Our expertise spans connected product development, data-driven analytics, and AI-powered insights, providing remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated diagnostics. We also support energy management by tracking usage and optimizing consumption while ensuring seamless interoperability across connected ecosystems. With scalable, secure solutions, we empower OEMs to harness the full potential of IoT.
Let’s Build the Future of Connected Food Equipment Together
NAFEM 2025 made it clear that IoT is driving the next generation of food equipment innovation. Whether you’re looking to enhance equipment performance, create new service models, or optimize operational efficiency, Mesh Systems is ready to help. If you’re interested in exploring how IoT can transform your food equipment solutions, let’s connect. Contact our team today to discuss your goals and discover how Mesh Systems can help you stay ahead of the curve.