Page 109 - Bord Bia

ROADMAP

STAGE 1

f) Business Model
Continued

(i) BUILD - Optimum Eiciency & Expansion Ready Considerations

Capacity:
It’s important to note that many craft breweries, set up in the last 3-5 years, have had to double
or triple capacity in year 2 or 3 to cope with the market demand. Therefore the key here is to
design into your plan the ability to scale up in the future of your brewery or distillery.

Also worth considering at this stage is the fact that as your business grows and expands, so
will the geographic reach of your brewery or distillery operation. The importance of quality,
consistency and capacity will become paramount at this point. Remember your brand’s promise
to consumers and customers is built on your ability to deliver great liquid every time.

You should also consider energy and water eicient design approaches to your build. This will
be more cost-eicient in the long run, avoiding expensive retro-itting when it comes time to
expand your operation to meet demand. In fact, the Irish Standard IS 399: 2014 is considered
international best practice in this area. Again, getting the right expertise to help guide you in the
build will be key to capturing all of this thinking early on in the process.

Explosion Protection:
As you will be aware, businesses involving alcohol are vulnerable to explosions and ires. You will
have legal responsibility to manage ire and explosion risks. This is done by means of carrying
out an ATEX Area Classiication and using appropriate design, construction and operating
measures and documenting same in an Explosion Protection Document. Expert advice from
industry sources outlined should be consulted on this.

Good sources to explore for help and support on these technical topics will include your master
brewer and distiller’s network as well as the equipment suppliers for your brewery or distillery.

109