To boost transportation efficiency and streamlining waste management processes, Colorado-based New Belgium recently invested in a new drainage press. Here manufacturing firm Weima explain how they did it.
Founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado, New Belgium Brewing emerged as a pioneer in the craft beer industry, with a commitment to inspire social and environmental change embedded in their core values from the beginning. New Belgium consistently seeks out partners that prioritize good stewardship of the planet and found Weima, a leading manufacturer of shredding and compressing machinery, as one of those partners.
Recognizing the need for a solution that could efficiently manage their increasing waste production, New Belgium invested in the WEIMA G.200 Drainage Press. This cutting-edge machine, equipped with stainless steel components, offered a significant improvement over their previous equipment.
The Weima G.200 drainage press is a modern, high-performance machine engineered to compress a variety of materials including beverages, food, packaging, and containers. With its ability to produce 200 mm diameter discs, this machine excels in size reduction, facilitating transportation efficiency and streamlining waste management processes.
Crafted from stainless steel, it is equipped to handle liquids and messes with ease, ensuring hassle-free cleanup and maintenance. Additionally, Weima drainage presses can be customized with a liquid discharge drain pan, providing an extra layer of convenience and cleanliness to production operations.
The Beginning of New Belgium Brewing
New Belgium was founded in 1991 by Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan. A bike trip through Belgium originally gave Jeff the inspiration to bring Belgian brewing traditions to their hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado. And Kim, a social worker, influenced the company the only way a social worker would: People first.
Since then, New Belgium has carried a human-powered philosophy into all that they do, which has contributed to their success in becoming the largest craft brewer in the nation and expanded across the country from their original site in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Asheville, North Carolina and most recently, Daleville, Virginia.
Additionally, in 2021, New Belgium acquired Bell’s Brewery in Comstock, Michigan. New Belgium has an extensive portfolio of iconic brands, including America’s biggest IPA Voodoo Ranger, Fat Tire, Two Hearted IPA, and Oberon Ale.
Prioritizing Sustainability
As the company grew, so did its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In 2012, New Belgium became a B-certified corporation, harnessing the power of business to address pressing global challenges. This milestone marked a new chapter in its journey, solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable brewing practices.
Caitlyn Wouters, sustainability specialist said: “Since our earliest days, New Belgium has been committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations. Effective recycling systems are the foundation of this commitment and the WEIMA drainage press has become a valuable and efficient addition to our recycling program.”
Focus on Efficiency
New Belgium experienced a significant surge in productivity after adding a second canning line to its packaging facility. This necessitated a more effective waste management solution to keep up with their increased production. In response to that demand, the brewery installed the Weima G.200 Drainage Press in June 2023.
This state-of-the-art drainage press, equipped with a powerful 5.5 kW motor and a 200 mm disc size, has proven to be a gamechanger. Capable of processing an impressive 12,000 to 20,000 cans in a 12-hour shift, the Weima G.200 has seamlessly integrated into their operations, offering enhanced efficiency and waste diversion.
“Our previous press was not made for liquid and beer spills. With the G.200, we have a stainless-steel system that we can hit with caustic foam and water, without worrying about rust or paint issues,” added Soren Daugaard, manufacturing excellence site lead.
Danny Banister, packaging manager, highlighted the ergonomic and efficiency gains facilitated by the WEIMA machine. “Operators can now use equipment instead of hand-loading into our crusher, resulting in significant time savings and improved efficiency,” he remarked. Additionally, the increased capacity of the WEIMA G.200 allowed the brewery to crush anywhere from 5 to 15 hoppers of cans per day, driving operational efficiency.
“So really the key takeaways for Weima are – it’s faster, it’s safer, and it’s cleaner,” affirmed Daugaard, encapsulating the brewery’s experience with the innovative machinery. With the support of Weima, New Belgium continues to lead the charge towards a more sustainable and efficient future, embodying their commitment to inspire social and environmental change, one can at a time.
