A small-batch cheese producer based in the Lake District has become the latest dairy manufacturer to roll out IoT technology as the industry looks to tech solutions to fine-tune processes and deliver efficiencies.
Maurice Walton, owner of Appleby Creamery, has deployed the IoT devices to monitor energy use and temperatures across the creamery’s Eden Valley site in a partnership with digitalisation group CENSIS.
The new system allows the Appleby Creamery team, who produce brie, blue, and cheddar, to monitor conditions remotely every 15 minutes, 24 hours per day, and sends real-time alerts if anomalies occur, allowing for a prompt response to prevent the risk of product spoilage and removing the need for arduous manual checks.
The system also tracks the energy use of equipment throughout the cheese-making process – from fridges to pasteurisers – with the data displayed on a dashboard developed by CENSIS, helping the creamery team to make decisions that could save energy and make better use of its on-site renewable sources.
It is also set to include sensors to track fuel gas usage and hot and cold water consumption, to enhance cost savings and sustainability and automate compliance reporting.
Walton said: “We weren’t sure the site was big enough to benefit from this type of technology or what kind of data we would need. But it’s really been a turning point for us.
“We’re already seeing great improvements in quality and efficiency, and I’m excited to explore the additional data we can gather from other processes and equipment.”
The initiative – delivered via CENSIS’s Milk Round technology accelerator – is part of the Digital Dairy Chain, a project led by Scotland’s Rural College and funded by UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund. CENSIS will be tracking the company’s progress and the impact of the system over time.
Rachael Wakefield, business development manager at CENSIS, said: “Our aim is to inspire the broader dairy supply chain to embrace digital transformation, especially those at a similar stage as Appleby Creamery or considering lower-cost service options. We’re thrilled to support Maurice and the team in demonstrating what’s possible.”