FDBusiness.com

Krones’ Steinecker plant is currently manufacturing the biggest brewing vessel in its history: a stainless steel lauter tun called “Pegasus C”, measuring 14 metres in diameter and weighing around 70 tons.
The “Pegasus C”, in which during the brewing process after mashing the liquid wort is separated from the solid spent grains, holds 144,000 litres of liquid with a fill level of one metre. It belongs to a huge order placed by one of the world’s premier beverage producers, as part of a modernisation project for a prestigious, long-established brewery in Dublin, and covering three complete brewing lines. Together with two more lauter tuns, each 11.5 metres in diameter, the “Pegasus C” will in future constitute the heart of the brewery. On-site commissioning will be completed towards the end of 2013, after which the client will possess Europe’s largest brewing facility.

In order to meet the tight deadline, the staff at Krones’ Steinecker plant worked three shifts for about six weeks on the “Pegasus C”. This lauter tun is basically a standard model; what’s unusual about it, though, is its massive size and the polished insulating hood stipulated by the client. It’s only been possible to produce such large brewing vessels at Krones’ Steinecker plant in Freising since the beginning of 2012, when the new pickling shop was completed. The two parts of the 14-metre lauter tun were riveted and polished, and after that separated again for pickling and transport. Together with the transport frame, each part will measure 7.50 x 14.30 metres.

The complete order covers a total of around 60 extra-wide/extra-high packing units, which will have to be moved with heavy-haulage trucks. They will be loaded onto inland waterway barges in Deggendorf and transferred to ships in Rotterdam. Other parts will go via Munich by train to Rotterdam. And more than 1,000 packing units are being delivered by truck. A massive logistical challenge, particularly since the brewery is located right in the heart of Dublin. This means the heavy goods transports have to be routed from the harbour right through the mediaeval city centre.

The advance logistical planning had been ongoing since February 2012; a road survey was carried out, revealing that there are three different routes for delivering the tun, where road signs and traffic lights will have to be removed, and entire streets and crossroads will have to be closed for other traffic and the trams.

Among this project’s special features is the off-site logistical concept, with components being placed in interim storage at a warehouse in Dublin. This solution guarantees just-in-time delivery on site.