ABB & Heineken: Sustainable Growth Through Supply Chains

For more than a decade, ABB Electrification Service has played a vital role in powering Heineken Guadalajara’s brewing operations producing 30 million litres of beer and cider every month across more than 20 brands.

It's a vast operation requiring relentless energy supply and equipment management for its smooth functioning.

This collaboration exemplifies sustainability and efficiency, enabling Heineken Guadalajara to manage energy demands amidst growing sustainability imperatives in the food and beverage industry.

The core of this partnership lies in Heineken's need for constant operational readiness.

Uberth Rios, Maintenance Coordinator at Heineken Guadalajara, explains the importance of this reliability: “We also have critical equipment such as boilers and compressors that must stay operational at all times.

"Any stoppage would necessitate immediate intervention to restore functionality and to minimise production delays.”

This demand for continuous operation requires preventative maintenance strategies that ABB has perfected.

The company’s services have progressed beyond simple maintenance to advisory roles that help Heineken not just cope but excel under burgeoning energy demands.

ABB’s approach, coined “engineered to outrun,” provides more than technical assistance—it offers insights that ensure Heineken's operations are future-ready.

Efficiency gains that go beyond the brewery

From a broader perspective, the F&B industry has faced challenges in energy efficiency, with only a 6% reduction in energy intensity over two decades according to PwC.

This makes Heineken Guadalajara’s progress even more remarkable. Through ABB’s support, the brewery has improved energy efficiency via high-quality power distribution and optimised equipment performance.

Pedro Robredo, Senior Vice President of ABB Electrification Services (Americas), highlights the key to this transformation: “Through ABB's partnership with Heineken Guadalajara, we've seen that lasting transformation comes from combining deep operational expertise with strategic guidance.

By incorporating ABB's state-of-the-art technologies, such as advanced switchboards and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, Heineken has managed to reduce electrical consumption and make better use of its spatial resources.

"It's about understanding our customers' day-to-day challenges while helping them build more sustainable and efficient business operations.”

A partnership of mutual trust

ABB has not only supplied the technological products for Heineken Guadalajara, but has also been intimately involved in installation, conditioning and maintenance.

Josue Cervantes, Senior Engineer at ABB Electrification Service in Mexico, explains: “Heineken is a valued client for us. We’ve been working with them for several years, assisting with installation, conditioning, commissioning, training and maintenance on all Heineken’s ABB products, including its switchgear and UPS systems.”

This long-standing collaboration has allowed ABB to develop a deep understanding of Heineken’s operational needs.

Josue adds: “All of this enhances Heineken’s productivity and contributes to cost reduction.”

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