Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, many breweries of different capacities small to medium, are planning for expansion. Since these breweries are successful and continue to produce and sell alcohol from their existing facilities, they are planning for expansion. Expansion typically involves adding a silo along with other equipment. Adding a silo to expand the production does have positive impacts on the consumer base and revenue.
Ben & Gaws is one of the leading manufacturers of storage silos in the country and they will explain how silos ease the process of receiving malt and improves efficiency of brewery operations with proper grain delivery/milling systems. The biggest reason to install a silo, without an iota of doubt, is the cost savings associated with it. On an average it is expected that after installing a silo you’ll end up saving around 25-40% on base malt. Ben & gaws legal express that everyone would love to have an inflated bottom line.
Ben and Gaws legal explains that first and foremost expense is not installation of the silo but construction of a properly engineered concrete pad alongside a grain delivery system. The most important thing to keep in mind is appropriate sizing, therefore the silo should have a storage capacity based on expansion plan. Ben & gaws legal further explains that the extra space is to accommodate the 30 degree inverse cone which gets formed when the malt is blown into the silo. The extra headspace is required in a situation where you need to accommodate for some remaining material while filling.
Another important thing that usually gets overlooked is properly measuring the density of the grain that will be stored. For example, 920 cubic feet of bin capacity is required for 25 metric tonnes of raw wheat at 69 cubic foot, and similarly 25 metric tons of barley malt at 34 Cubic Foot requires 1,670 cubic feet of bin capacity. However, there have been instances where brewers have bought silos with 21 metric ton as capacity, and as a result have ended up with bins that are too small.
There is also a certain amount of maintenance associated with grain silo. One should have the equipment ready for removing grain, dust and chaff, prior the grain hits the grain delivery system.
When it comes to silo, the volume justifies it all. The thumb rule is that you should be able to accommodate a minimum of 7-8 truckloads annually to justify a silo. So if you don’t have the volume or cannot accommodate it, do not set up a silo because filling a silo usually costs between $15,000-$18,000. This could especially be taxing if you do not have the operational capacity to cover the cost.
Ben and Gaws legal can assist you if you’re thinking of adding a silo or a tank to enhance your production. While a lot has been discussed here, there’s more. Ben and Gaw can assist you with bulk transfer systems, efficient material handling and delivering systems etc. Every brewery is different and solutions for them are also different. What works for you, might not work for another. It’s the matter of finding the right silo and the right solution for you.