Platform for the food and beverage industry
Hundreds of mobile beverage carts and buffet tables must be thoroughly cleaned after every event before they can be used again. To reduce turnaround time and better manage the use of water and cleaning supplies, [company name] developed BOONS FIS For Royal Swinkels, a customized automated system that combines cleaning technology and digital process control.
Royal Swinkels operates globally in the malt, beer, and beverage industries. For festivals and events, the company deploys numerous mobile beer trucks and buffet tables. Cleaning them posed a significant operational challenge: the existing wash station was outdated, required a lot of manual labor, and did not always produce consistent results. Some units even had to be cleaned a second time.
In addition, there was no digital cleaning history. As a result, all tap trucks were automatically subjected to the longest cleaning program by default, even when it wasn't necessary. This led to extra cleaning time and higher consumption of water and cleaning agents.
In collaboration with Royal Swinkels, we developed BOONS FIS That is why we need a system that is fully tailored to the dimensions, cleaning requirements, and daily logistics of the mobile units.
The system combines 18 satellites with CIP technology (Cleaning-in-Place) for cleaning and disinfecting the internal cooling coils and pipes. This allows up to 18 faucets to be cleaned and disinfected simultaneously.
Specially designed CBU dosing units ensure precise dosing of cleaning agents. Combined with controlled fluid flows, this helps minimize waste and optimize the consumption of water and chemicals. During the cleaning cycle, parameters such as temperature, pressure, and dosing are automatically controlled. This ensures that the process takes place under controlled conditions and reduces the reliance on manual operations.
The software also played a key role in the solution. BOONS FIS expanded its Obtimize platform with control software specifically designed for this application.
Each tap cart is scanned upon arrival and linked to a digital log. This allows the cleaning history to be tracked and ensures that the correct program is assigned to each unit. The software automatically controls the cycle within the preset parameters and time limits.
Thanks to the integration between the scanning system and Obtimize, each unit now runs only the program it actually needs. This prevents unnecessarily long cleaning cycles and results in an immediate reduction in water and chemical consumption.
The design took into account not only the cleaning process but also day-to-day operations on the shop floor. All control equipment and chemical supply systems are housed in a separate utility room. This ensures a clear separation between the technical systems and the work floor, while leaving more maneuvering space around the installation for forklifts.
Centralized storage of cleaning and disinfecting supplies makes management more organized. Furthermore, using larger bulk containers means that restocking is required less often.
The new system combines capacity, automation, and digital monitoring into a single integrated solution. For Royal Swinkels, this means a smoother cleaning process, more consistent hygiene standards, and faster availability of the mobile serving carts and buffet tables.
Pieter Bas of Royal Swinkels explains:
“With this system, we combine maximum process reliability with minimal environmental impact. We’re achieving significant savings in water and chemicals, while our operators work in an ergonomic and safe environment. In addition, we’ve seen a huge increase in our efficiency.”
The project demonstrates how a well-thought-out, customized solution goes beyond simply replacing an outdated car wash. By coordinating technology, software, and logistics, it helps BOONS FIS Royal Swinkels to make the cleaning process more manageable and efficient.
