Bernheim Distillery Updates: Upgrading Systems & Enhancing Efficiency
Heaven Hill Moves Forward with Capital Projects
This week we’re sharing an update on the progress of some of the larger capital projects Heaven Hill has been working on. Our goal in sharing these updates is to illustrate Heaven Hill’s commitment to continuous improvement and growing the business even during unprecedented times such as these.
When operating a historic distillery, it’s important to make upgrades and changes as needed to ensure the facility continues to operate as efficiently as possible. Over the next few years Heaven Hill is working on several projects and upgrades at the Bernheim Distillery to fulfill this goal. These projects include upgrades to the milling system, boiler room efficiency projects, and other updates to enhance the facility. Below is a breakdown of each of each project:
Milling System Upgrades
This project will be completed in phases over the course of the next three years. We kicked off phase one of the project, building a Motor Control Center, last week which will provide the electrical infrastructure for three new mills and their associated equipment. Construction for phase one will continue through the first week of July. Most of the work will be completed during Summer Shutdown which occurs during the last two weeks of June and the first week of July. During this time, expect to see an increased number of contractors on site working to stay on schedule for the project. Construction started on site last week with the addition of a large crane to bring in components for phase one of construction.
Phase two installation of these mills will be completed in 2021 followed by phase three with the installation of supplementary components including meal bins and dust collection equipment in 2022. Our hope is that this project will increase milling capacity to match the capabilities of the rest of the process.
Boiler Room Efficiency Projects
This series of projects will make operations at the Bernheim Distillery more efficient, ultimately leading to significant cost savings for the company. These projects will allow us to capture waste steam created during production and reuse hot water that is currently sent down the drain. Additionally, we are adding upgraded controls to increase boiler efficiency and reduce the consumption of natural gas. The improvements made through this project will ultimately result in a significant cost savings.
Enhancing Distillery Efficiency
Finally, we are working to make automation upgrades to mashing and fermentation controls. This shift will lead to increased consistency and quality of product – something Heaven Hill is known for throughout the industry.
The increased efficiency, quality, and consistency gained as a result of these projects will lead to continued growth and success for the company. We’re excited to implement these changes that will not only meet our goal of continuous improvement, but also illustrate our core values of being customer focused and passionately committed to excellence.
