Equipment 101

[gap]

Hi guys,

I am looking to start a microbrewery in India. I am in two minds with respect to purchasing new equipment. If I fabricate the whole brewhouse and FVs from a local fabricator (who has no idea about brewing) I'll save quite a few bucks but it will involve me working closely with the fabricator - I'll have to refer to Kunze, Bamforth etc. to come up with the design and there's a good chance that the final product isn't foolproof. On the other hand, if I buy the equipment from a trustworthy vendor, I'll end up paying much more but at the end of the day I can be assured that the kit works fine.

Do you think it is wise to save on the capex and fabricate my own equipment or pay more and get the brewery running smoothly without any equipment related issues?

[TGTimm]

I think you're deluding yourself if you believe you can get quality equipment fabricated locally by someone unfamiliar with brewing (is he even a sanitary welder?) for less than you can purchase it.

We've fabricated some of our own equipment, doing the welding in-house, and it doesn't pay off. The only time I'll take on fab anymore is if what I want is simple, or simply can't be found.

[Starcat]

Suggestions

I'll second what Timm has said.
If you attempt to do things on the cheap in this industry, 99 times out of 100 you'll live to regret it.
The reason why is its an " Industrial " process and cannot be done to scale without industrial level gear that performs.
All of the hard work in figuring out what works has been done many years before from an engineering standpoint.
There are too many people coming in and trying to re-invent the wheel.
That approach is a colossal mistake.

[UnFermentable]

Hi guys,

I am looking to start a microbrewery in India. I am in two minds with respect to purchasing new equipment. If I fabricate the whole brewhouse and FVs from a local fabricator (who has no idea about brewing) I'll save quite a few bucks but it will involve me working closely with the fabricator - I'll have to refer to Kunze, Bamforth etc. to come up with the design and there's a good chance that the final product isn't foolproof. On the other hand, if I buy the equipment from a trustworthy vendor, I'll end up paying much more but at the end of the day I can be assured that the kit works fine.

Do you think it is wise to save on the capex and fabricate my own equipment or pay more and get the brewery running smoothly without any equipment related issues?

No it is not wise to save on the capital expenditures. Buy quality North American designed equipment. I’d suggest you look into DME working with DD Enterprises in Pune. They are making fantastic, world class tanks and equipment. I know because I have been on the floor there. It is just as precise and beautiful as the DME stuff from North America, and better than what I have seen from their Chinese contractor.

Talk to Narayan Manipally from Geist in Bangalore. He can tell you about the experience he had with Tarus equipment and pinhole leaks. Lost product is very expensive.

You will likely spend close to the same amount to get the same quality. It’s much easier to pay upfront than to have the work done retroactively. Especially in India.

[gap]

Thank you guys for your prompt replies.