Matthew BoyleIn a bid to reduce plastic waste and streamline logistics, Britvic, a leading beverage company, has partnered with Mobile Logic, a mobile IoT provider, to collect and analyze telemetry data from its new electric “florato taps.” This collaboration is part of Britvic’s innovative “Beyond the Bottle” strategy, which focuses on reducing packaging waste and optimizing its supply chain for improved sustainability. Let’s take a closer look at how this initiative is shaping the future of eco-friendly beverage dispensing.
Britvic’s “Beyond the Bottle” Strategy: A Move Toward Sustainability
Britvic, which owns popular drink brands like Robinsons, Tango, and J2O, has taken significant steps toward sustainability in recent years. The company, which also locally produces and distributes soft drinks for PepsiCo in the UK, operates in several international markets, including Brazil, Ireland, and France.
One of its flagship products in this initiative is the Aqua Libra Flavour Tap, a drinks dispenser introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. This innovative system, equipped with six flavor cartridges, was designed to significantly reduce single-use plastic waste by eliminating the need for bottled beverages in hospitality, work, and financial environments. Each unit can save up to 10,000 single-use plastic bottles or cans before it needs replacement, marking a major breakthrough in packaging waste reduction.
Britvic has since sought to scale the use of these taps beyond the initial pandemic response and expand their deployment across different sectors. This is where Mobile Logic, and its Internet of Things (IoT) expertise, comes into play.
Mobile Logic and IoT Integration: Enabling Data-Driven Decision-Making
To enhance the efficiency of its dispensing systems, Britvic chose Mobile Logic as its IoT connectivity partner. After a comprehensive market review, Britvic opted for Mobile Logic’s Conexa MVNO setup and SIMPro platform to ensure reliable IoT connectivity and data management across its network of smart beverage taps.
Conexa’s platform was selected for its stability and superior on-SIM applications, which provide enhanced data security — a critical factor in today’s digital landscape. The integration of these technologies allows Britvic’s taps to maintain a strong Wi-Fi connection to its Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure. This, in turn, enables the sensors within the taps to transmit real-time telemetry data, providing invaluable insights into consumer usage patterns.
With this real-time access to consumption data, Britvic has been able to improve both its logistics and forecasting capabilities. The company can now adjust its flavor distribution strategies based on seasonal variations and changing consumer preferences, significantly enhancing its supply chain efficiency.
The Role of Telemetry in Sustainability and Operations
According to Scott MacKenzie, Director of Britvic’s Beyond the Bottle project, the decision to adopt IoT-enabled taps stemmed from a need to stay ahead of tightening sustainability regulations and evolving consumer demands. He stated, “In an environment where sustainability regulations are tightening and consumer preferences are shifting, we saw a substantial opportunity to adapt and innovate.”
The telemetry data collected from the taps has provided Britvic with unexpected insights that have challenged their original assumptions about consumer behavior. These insights have been pivotal in enabling the company to streamline its operations and make more informed decisions about production, distribution, and inventory management.
Additionally, MacKenzie emphasized that scalability and reliable connectivity were crucial for the success of the initiative. Britvic needed a dependable partner to support its growth as it moved from a trial phase to full-scale deployment. “We now have secure, reliable, and real-time access to data… This has revealed unexpected trends, challenging our assumptions and informing our strategic decisions.”
Expanding the Reach: Beyond Offices and Hospitality
What began as a trial project during the pandemic has since evolved into a full-fledged product with the potential for global adoption. Oliver Tucker, founder and CEO of Mobile Logic, expressed his excitement about the wider applications of Britvic’s taps: “This goes beyond offices and retail spaces – there are exciting opportunities across travel, sports, and leisure.”
By collaborating with Mobile Logic, Britvic is not only enhancing the sustainability of its operations but also reshaping the beverage industry by offering more eco-friendly options to consumers. The successful implementation of IoT in Britvic’s smart taps has opened doors to new sectors and industries, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient beverage distribution model.
Conclusion: A Future of Smarter, Greener Beverage Solutions
Britvic’s partnership with Mobile Logic highlights the growing importance of technology in achieving sustainability goals. By leveraging IoT connectivity and real-time telemetry data, Britvic has been able to significantly reduce plastic waste, optimize its supply chain, and improve its responsiveness to changing consumer behaviors. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the company’s journey toward creating more sustainable, eco-friendly beverage solutions.
As Britvic continues to expand its Beyond the Bottle strategy, the integration of IoT technologies into its operations promises to reshape not only the company’s approach to beverage dispensing but also the broader industry’s commitment to sustainability.
