Revolutionizing Food Manufacturing: BRAINR’s Journey Towards Digital Transformation
Food manufacturing has long been characterized as one of the least digitized sectors, with many operations still relying heavily on spreadsheets and manual data entry. This issue leads to sluggish processes and frequent errors, according to insights from Portuguese startup BRAINR. Even the most advanced facilities often lack cohesive manufacturing execution systems (MES) that seamlessly integrate every aspect of their operations.
A Gap in the Market
Co-founder and CEO Paulo Gaspar highlights a significant problem: traditional MES solutions were not tailored for food production facilities. His firsthand experience demonstrates this challenge, as he was responsible for the digital transformation at Grupo Lusiaves, a Portuguese poultry processor.
“In my role, I built the IT framework from scratch and led efforts to consolidate over 30 disparate systems into a cohesive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system,” explains Gaspar. “However, we left the most challenging aspects—such as managing factories and slaughterhouses—until last. Each equipment manufacturer seemed to have its own mini-MES, resulting in a fragmented software landscape.”
Creating a Dedicated Solution
Gaspar’s quest for a market solution revealed that while there was exceptional MES software available, none was designed specifically for the food industry. “Companies often face budget overruns with generic MES solutions that fail to adapt to the unique requirements of food production,” he notes. “We don’t consider traditional MES providers like Siemens or Rockwell Automation as competitors; they excel in other industries but not in food manufacturing.”
In 2023, BRAINR emerged from Grupo Lusiaves, with Gaspar stating, “We built everything from the ground up to attract top talent. Although Grup Lusiaves could have kept this innovation for itself, sharing it globally makes more sense, and they remain a minority shareholder.”
A Strong Start with €11 million Seed Round
Under the leadership of Gaspar, along with COO Rui Batista and CTI Ricardo Granada—both seasoned experts in ERP and smart manufacturing software—BRAINR has developed a cloud-based MES system designed to integrate with leading food equipment manufacturers and existing ERP systems like Sage, Oracle, SAP, and Infor.
“Our mission at BRAINR is to connect all areas of a factory in real-time, guiding operators, minimizing errors, and enhancing efficiency and traceability,” Gaspar explained after securing a €11 million ($13 million) seed round led by C2 Capital Partners.
Bridging the Digitization Gap
BRAINR’s clientele includes producers across poultry, beef, pork, and beer sectors from Portugal, Mozambique, and Lithuania, each at varying stages of digitization. “Some clients still rely on paper and Excel, while others have partial digital systems that function in isolation,” Gaspar elaborates. “For the latter, we facilitate the integration of existing processes into a unified real-time data system.”
Even for firms with outdated production lines, BRAINR offers solutions by adding sensors to create data streams or by utilizing barcode readings to track materials in real time.
Innovative Use of AI
Gaspar emphasizes the importance of artificial intelligence in streamlining operations. “Planning remains a significant headache for many in the food sector, with numerous companies stuck using Excel for scheduling. We leverage AI and machine learning to optimize production planning,” he notes. “We even have a concept of a ‘virtual employee’ that analyzes production orders daily, ensuring all quality controls are met and reporting any discrepancies.”
Focus on Compliance and Language Accessibility
BRAINR encompasses integrated reporting tools for managing food safety and compliance (such as HACCP and FSMA), as well as adaptations for certifications like SQF and IFS. “Being aware of the workforce diversity in factories, our system is designed to accommodate multiple languages using AI for real-time user-generated content,” Gaspar explains.
Implementing Change Gradually
Instead of attempting a complete overhaul, BRAINR employs a gradual approach to digitization. “We segment the factory into sections—like reception, slaughter, and packaging—implementing BRAINR one area at a time. This methodology stands in stark contrast to traditional all-in-one transitions, which often fail,” Gaspar asserts.
Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, allowing businesses to track their sales in real-time rather than on a weekly basis, thereby facilitating smarter decision-making.
Pioneering Change in Food Manufacturing
Currently, BRAINR’s system is responsible for managing over 25% of Portugal’s meat production, with clients witnessing significant improvements in efficiency and error reduction. “While mid-sized manufacturers are an ideal fit for our technology, we are equally relevant for top-tier consumer packaged goods companies, many of whom have expressed that they lack comprehensive systems to manage their entire production process,” Gaspar concludes.
