The best solutions for a growing industry
The Chilean wine industry is going from strength to strength. In fact, today Chile exports over 50 percent of its wine production. But when Hector Anazco, Product Manager for Danfoss Industrial Automation in Chile, took a closer look, he found that the Chilean wine industry wasn’t using Danfoss products. Hector realised that this was a great opportunity for Danfoss to get involved.
In winemaking, temperature control is key to ensuring a quality product – the wine must be kept within certain temperature ranges during the various stages of production. To alter the temperature of the wine, hot or cold water, or brine is introduced to the jacket of the wine tank.
Traditionally the winemakers used solenoid valves to regulate the temperature but the water and brine often caused the valves to hang – a problem that was compounded by infrequent use. In order to overcome hanging valves, Danfoss introduced the winemakers to angle seat valves.
The angle seat valves proved so successful that Chilean winemakers were calling out for other parts for a range of processes – and not just valves supplied by Danfoss.
Danfoss now provides a complete ‘basket’ of products for winemakers and is the preferred supplier to this rapidly growing industry. Danfoss’ complete range of controls – including contactors for panels that steer the Danfoss compressors – is proving very successful. Also, our VLT electronic frequency converters are contributing to significant energy savings for Chilean winemakers.
A number of bodegas (wineries) have even asked Danfoss to manage total projects, which we are doing in collaboration with a local manufacturer of stainless steel tanks and equipment.
The Chilean wine industry and IA are reaping the benefits of a developing relationship. With this growing market, Danfoss can look forward to increasing business in the Chilean wine industry.
By Jens Mikkelsen, Sales Manager