Algist Bruggeman, a company specialized in yeast production, has developed a new production line in collaboration with Actemium. The ‘Improved Yeast’ project has led to significant improvements both in terms of quality and innovation. Actemium was responsible for the entire process, from design to storage. This resulted in the biggest innovation on the Algist Bruggeman site in the past ten years.
The project focuses on the development of brewer’s yeast, which requires specific high-quality standards. To increase customer flexibility and respond to the globalization of products, it was decided to implement customer-specific labeling. In this context, intermediate storage was chosen so that products are only finalized once customer orders are received.
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION
Pieter D’Hamer, Project Manager at Actemium Digital Factory Ghent, explains that this is a multidisciplinary project, both internally at Actemium (twinning) and at Algist Bruggeman. “Our colleagues from the BU Actemium Food ABI are working on the pneumatic transport of the yeast. Actemium Handling Solutions is also involved in the mechanical engineering and the construction of robot cells for the AutoStore system. As BU Actemium Digital Factory, we are responsible for transport, quality control, intermediate storage, and handling of the yeast packaging,” Pieter clarifies.
For location management within the AutoStore, a WCS application was developed. The user interface for location management is fully integrated into the MES (Manufacturing Execution System), providing users with a unified system. Thanks to this system, traceability can be further enhanced, something that is very important to Algist Bruggeman.
SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIP
Thanks to the integration of a skybridge in the new building, Algist Bruggeman can now see their product come to life. Rodrigo Cruz, Engineering Manager at Algist Bruggeman, emphasizes that this connection contributes to a sustainable partnership. The expertise of Actemium and the possibility of relying on other companies within VINCI Energies has resulted in a cost-efficient and ingenious way of working. Moreover, the MOM system has ensured that the process could be linked to the ERP system, enabling performance monitoring of the line.
“The highly task-oriented nature of the Siemens Opcenter as an MES package was one of the reasons it was chosen. This way, operators can be digitally guided in the execution of their daily tasks,” says Ruben Desmet, Client Manager at Actemium.
The result of the ‘Improved Yeast’ project is a packaging line that allows products to be delivered tailored to the customer, with specific information that adds value. Future plans focus on further increasing the flexibility of the process.
