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Seamless, cybersecure automation for a world-class brew

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is supported by our automation and cybersecurity solutions as it brews its iconic craft beverages.

Bundaberg Factory

When the sun is shining, nothing compares to the distinctive taste of Bundaberg Ginger Beer. For Australians, this isn’t just another soft drink – it’s a craft-brewed original, made with real ginger and traditional slow-brewing techniques that have been refined over four generations of family involvement. Every bottle reflects a rare balance of tradition and innovation, supported by advanced automation and cybersecurity that underpin Bundaberg’s commitment to quality and safety.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks remains proudly family-owned and operates in its namesake town in regional Queensland, Australia. While its roots run deep, its reach currently extends to over 60 countries, making Bundaberg a global ambassador for authentic Australian craft brewing.

To support the company’s growth and improve efficiency, in 2023, their state-of-the art $120 million AUD Master Brewery was officially opened by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The facility is triple the size of the original brewery at 22,000 sqm, and features updated systems and machinery, supported by Siemens technology.

At its Master Brewery, the business follows five steps to craft its iconic Ginger Beer.

5 steps to craft iconic Ginger Beer

1. Harvest locally grown Queensland ginger, slice and dry it, and then grind it right before brewing to maximize the aromatics.

2. Infuse the mix – the technical term is making the “wort” – by adding Queensland cane sugar and water to the ground ginger and heating the blend.

3. Brew by adding a special yeast to initiate fermentation.

4. Wait three days for the brewing process, then filter to leave behind the perfect amount of ginger pieces.

5. Carbonate and fill the final product into Bundaberg’s classic glass stubby bottles.

Throughout the process, nothing is left to chance.

A mature man with a mustache, wearing a light blue shirt, holds up a small amber bottle with a label, examining it in a factory setting.

Seamless control, visibility, and connectivity

Bundaberg - Ginger Beer on Conveyor Belt

Brewing premium craft beverages demands unwavering quality and consistency. From start to end, the entire production process is underpinned by Siemens Simatic S7-1500. It monitors every stage of the process of crafting Bundaberg’s beverages – from ingredient measurement and fermentation to filling, labeling, and packaging. Its high-speed processing and real-time data handling ensure consistent quality and maximum output, seamlessly integrating with sensors, machines, and enterprise systems.

Within the brewery, everything is tied together with Scalance network components, delivering fast, reliable, industrial-grade communication for seamless data flow and coordination across all production areas.

To deliver beverages dependably to a fan base that extends from Australia to virtually all corners of the world, the Master Brewery operates at scale.

At full capacity, production peaks at

bottles per hour

bottles per minute

cases a day on a single bottling line

We delivered a solution that gives Bundaberg full control, real-time visibility, and confidence in efficient, reliable production
Milan Bawa, Factory Automation General Manager, Siemens Australia & New Zealand

Cybersecure from every angle

Siemens technology comes with cybersecurity built in. But Bundaberg Brewed Drinks wanted to go further, complementing that foundation with Siemens' industrial-grade cybersecurity solutions to ensure their operations remain secure at every level.

“In the food and beverage sector, cybersecurity isn’t just about data protection – it’s essential for maintaining plant availability, product integrity, and consistent quality,” explains Serge Maillet, Siemens Australia & New Zealand’s Segment Manager for Industrial Networks & Cybersecurity.

Beyond operational reliability, it also helps safeguard brand reputation by preventing costly and image-damaging disruptions caused by cyberattacks.

In the food and beverage sector, cybersecurity isn’t just about data protection – it’s essential for maintaining plant availability, product integrity, and consistent quality
Serge Maillet, Segment Manager Industrial Networks&Cybersecurity, Siemens Australia & New Zealand

Designed to scale

With Siemens’ solutions in place, the brewers at Bundaberg can focus on their craft, confident that operations run smoothly and securely in the background. When the Master Brewery opened its doors in 2023, it was designed with future growth in mind.

“This is just phase one of the development, with multiple further phases to be rolled out as needed, reinforcing our commitment to investing in global infrastructure to meet customer demand long into the future,” says John McLean, CEO of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.

Solutions from Siemens support this vision through a design that allows for seamless expansion. After all, most new drinkers of Bundaberg’s craft brews quickly become loyal fans – thus driving demand even further with every bottle enjoyed and recommended.

April 2026

Bundaberg - Cartons on Conveyor Belt
This is just phase one of the development, with multiple further phases to be rolled out as needed, reinforcing our commitment to investing in global infrastructure to meet customer demand long into the future
John McLean, CEO of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks