Rhonda Doyle
Country President Ireland, Schneider Electric
Many manufacturers are deprioritising sustainability for financial goals, but one doesn’t have to replace the other. Electrification, digital transformation and circularity have the potential to deliver sustainability and financial value.
As industries move to cleaner energy, electrification plays a crucial role, particularly in energy-intensive operations such as boiling or baking. For example, food manufacturers moving from gas to electric ovens must ask: can my electrical system handle increased loads, what upgrades are needed and will operating procedures need adjustment to maintain product quality and meet demands?
Electrification: powering the future
Effective electrification requires strategic planning, which begins with an electrical audit to assess assets, gaps and risks. In today’s unpredictable energy landscape, manufacturers must also reconsider assumptions about power reliability. On-site generation options such as microgrids and power purchasing agreements (PPAs) can provide greater control and stability.
Digital transformation: the industry’s nervous system
If electrification is the backbone of industry, digitalisation is the brain. Smart sensors and real-time data are foundational to this but are just the start. To avoid long-term inefficiencies, top-performing sites also invest in people and process improvements as well as IT/OT equipment to ensure scalable, lasting change.
For instance, Hochwald Foods in Germany deployed a system that collects data from across the operation to bridge gaps between shop-floor operations and executives. This enabled seamless monitoring of everything from entry security to product quality. A strong digital foundation also unlocks artificial intelligence to manage repetitive tasks, detect issues early and free employees to focus on high-value work.
Circularity: rethinking sustainability for advantage
Circularity offers clear business and environmental benefits for companies willing to use innovative solutions to tackle three major sources of waste:
- Collecting and processing food waste to create electricity
- Reclaiming water from processes like boiling for non-clean functions
- Committing to sustainable packaging
Reducing food, water and packaging waste is one of the most cost-effective ways to immediately boost revenue and cut carbon footprint. Adopting this mindset enables facilities to unlock future investment opportunities by saving on operational expenses.
Shaping the future of industry
To remain competitive, these modernisation strategies must be embraced now. By adopting circularity, leveraging digitalised systems and prioritising electrification, manufacturers can reduce energy costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase profitability – all while driving long-term sustainability.
