VIEWPOINT
RESET TO GROW MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEMS SUPPORT REVENUE GROWTH WHILE PROMOTING RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN TIMES OF DISRUPTION AND MARKET UNCERTAINTY, WRITES KEITH CHAMBERS, VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, AVEVA
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s the leading Italian producer of extra-virgin olive oil, Farchioni understands the importance of quality and consistency. Every one of the 32 million bottles it produces each year must deliver the same culinary sensation. Just a few drops of this ambrosial gold on a bit of bread, anywhere in the world, can instantly transport diners to the Mediterranean’s sunny climes, to ancient olive groves and abundant tables, surrounded by friends and flowing conversation. Lower-grade versions simply do not have the same effect, and that’s without going into provenance, terroir and the numerous other factors affecting product quality.
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CXO INSIGHT ME
NOVEMBER 2021
But millions of people around the world would not be able to enjoy this magical experience if an entire chain of manufacturing processes didn’t work together flawlessly and in seamless harmony. Once a small business owned by two farmers operating from a single mill in Umbria, Farchioni’s empire now extends to beer, wine and flour, of which 25 percent is exported around the world. That level of scale would be impossible without automating traditional manufacturing processes through digital transformation, a development referred to as Industry 4.0. Food and beverage manufacturing increasingly relies on modern technology such as smart data capturing and analysis,
inventory and operations management, value optimisation, and personalised training. With manufacturing processes calibrated to optimum conditions, production can be maximised while quality remains consistent and wastage is reduced. Alongside, the process yields substantial environmental and sustainability benefits. For Farchioni, embracing these technologies with AVEVA’s Manufacturing Execution Systems didn’t just help to improve yield and reduce manual labor. The solution offers the confidence that that each individual bottle within a 3,000-quintal batch of olive oil looks, smells, and tastes identical.
