The Client, a global beverage company, faced a pivotal challenge: following the acquisition of a new beer brand, they needed to rapidly build expertise in brewing operations to ensure quality, compliance, and scalable growth. As a global beverage producer, the Client recognized that entering the beer category required not only technical mastery but also robust operational frameworks to support their ambitious expansion goals.
First Key was engaged to deliver a comprehensive brewing technical audit, leveraging deep industry expertise and a solutions-oriented approach. The team developed a process audit sheet and conducted a thorough review of production, spanning grain delivery to finished goods. Key activities included evaluating brewery hygiene, quality management, laboratory practices, and record-keeping. First Key assessed materials handling, sourcing arrangements, and special procedures, while also reviewing packaging, warehousing, utilities, and laboratory capabilities. The audit extended to evaluating leadership and workforce culture, providing actionable recommendations on recipe parameters, raw material specifications, and quality tolerances. First Key also addressed compliance with regulatory standards and optimized operational considerations such as order sizes and production notice requirements.
The results were immediate and impactful. The Client received a comprehensive report, delivered on time, that served as a playbook for developing new policies and procedures for beer production. This enabled the Client to establish rigorous quality benchmarks, streamline production processes, and ensure regulatory compliance. The audit identified opportunities for efficiency gains and risk mitigation, positioning the Client to capture market share in the competitive beer segment. By partnering with First Key, the Client unlocked strategic growth potential and set a new standard for operational excellence in beverage production.
