Into the future with digital transformation
backaldrin is not only innovative when it comes to bread and other fine baked goods, but also in the further development of its operational processes. To be well-equipped for the future, the international manufacturer of baking ingredients has been investing in digitalisation for years.
In order to further increase a company's efficiency, digital transformation is essential these days. backaldrin has therefore created its own central office for this purpose. This office not only sets strategic accents, but also assumes the function of internal consulting for the individual specialist departments to implement digital projects quickly and agilely. Since then, the family business has been pursuing a clear strategy to further advance digital transformation within the company and go beyond classic automation.
The company's production processes have already been analysed so that they can be further optimised by means of digital control. A follow-up project to this is "Testify". The test phase at backaldrin started in November 2022. Specifically, this is a system to replace handwritten checklists - which are needed to document and monitor production processes - with digital ones. After successful testing, this checklist was implemented for the first time for a complete production line in April 2023. Since then, Testify has been extended to other lines and undergoes continuous updates.
To ensure effective monitoring and display of the checkpoints, two screens have been installed in the control room to display the necessary dashboards. These enable the production management to overview the ongoing status of the lines in real time. To ensure that employees can keep up with such innovative projects, backaldrin relies on consistent training and further education. Even here, there is a focus on digital transformation through an e-learning strategy.
All-round service for bakeries
Cooperations also offer great opportunities for advancing digitalisation, which is why the company is increasingly investing in them. An example of this is the data science project with a team of researchers from Hagenberg University of Applied Sciences and the Software Competence Center Hagenberg (SCCH). Since 2021, research has been underway into how artificial intelligence can be used in product development. This should enable even greater flexibility and better customer orientation.
A further collaboration with a Munich-based software company is also intended to create added value for customers. Delicious Data are pioneers in the field of intelligent ordering and planning optimisation for companies in the food sector.
"backaldrin has been working closely with Delicious Data since 2022. Our cooperation aims to help backaldrin customers save time, resources and money. After all, we are not just about supplying high-quality raw materials. We want to provide our customers with tomorrow's solutions today and offer an all-round service package. The solution shows enormous potential in this respect: its use promises up to 10 percent more sales, up to 30 percent fewer returns and a fully automated ordering process," explains Rudolf Grassmann, head of digital transformation at backaldrin. In view of current challenges in the industry, such as the shortage of skilled workers and the shortage of raw materials, this is a win for every bakery.
Better planning using AI
Valentin Belser, co-founder and CEO of Delicious Data, says, "Our software uses deep learning to create forecasts from sales data and external factors such as the weather and holidays, making manual baking plans obsolete. Optimised store production avoids returns and closes the sales gap in the afternoon. Artificial intelligence thus enables a completely optimised supply of goods in specialist stores for both one-day and multi-day items." Such digitally supported processes mean that customer requirements can be met without bottlenecks or overproduction.
The Delicious Data solution also makes it possible to quickly and easily convey knowledge and specifications when there are staff changes. Through an integrated intelligent daily planner, production steps can be precisely scheduled and displayed as simple tasks in a "to-do list". An intuitive user interface and ease of use enable employees to quickly learn the system and provide transparency when shifts are handed over. Likewise, the analysis dashboard - which contains all item analyses, store sales, assortment design and inventory - provides an excellent overview.
Interested parties will have the opportunity to find out more about the benefits of AI-driven efficiency every day at the backaldrin exhibition stand at the iba. backaldrin owner and Kornspitz inventor Peter Augendopler: "Digitalisation ensures economic success and creates more sustainability in the company. Our customers also benefit from this, and that is the most important thing."
