Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira, Lda (ECM) is the largest regional producer and distributor of beverages in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, certified by national and european standards (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001). Producing, marketing and distributing its own brands of beer, soft drinks and bottled water as well as representing prestigious brands in other categories (spirits, wines, juices and nectars, bottled waters, milk, olive oils). Part of the Pestana Group, the largest Portuguese hotel group with a consolidated international presence, the quality and guarantee of the ECM brands are the result of the long manufacturing experience of its founders, of more than 150 years.
Activity
Made up of a team of around 250 employees, it supplies approximately 3500 clients and covers 100% of the Region’s outlets. To meet the necessities of its clients, ECM provides a pre sale system with delivery in 24 hours having the largest sales force of the sector in the Region, a teleshopping service and a customer service hotline providing a very effective capacity for implementing promotions and marketing actions to all out clients. More recently ECM has been increasing its efforts to make its products available to Portuguese communities around the world. Mobility being a characteristic of the madeiran population, it’s currently estimated that there are around 1 million madeirans spread across the globe who traditionally prefer ECM products.
Mission
To be the leader in the beer, soft drink and bottled water market, preferred by consumers, exceeding expectations with quality products and services. We want to provide increased job satisfaction and well-being to all our team. We want to assure the longevity and profitability of the company.
History
Factory
FACTORY VISIT
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FERMENTATION TANKS
In this equipment the mash is transformed into beer and CO2 in the presence of a microorganism (yeast) and oxygen. This process is called fermentation. We have an installed capacity of approximately 1,400,000 litres. The whole fermentation process is controlled daily by our quality control. On average beer ferments over 8 to 9 days and maturing for the remaining days.
SILO BLOCK
This is where we process the storage of malt and corn. Installed capacity for 260 Tonnes of malt and 120 Tonnes of corn. These raw materials are transported from their origins in suitable containers and unloaded automatically.
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CONTROL ROOM
Location where the centralized control for the Silo Block, brew room and fermentation tank monitoring takes place as well as all the hygienization system control.
BREW ROOM OR MASHING
Mashing is the first stage in the beer production process, this process comprises of converting and dissolving the sugar product from the malt and corn into a solution called the beer wort. At this stage another raw ingredient is added, hops, which are responsible for the flavour and bitterness in beer. The brew room has a production capacity of 11 brews/day each of 15,000 litres. Depending on the selected beer recipe we can produce Coral Branca (Larger), Tónica (Stout), Sem Alcool (Alcohol-Free) and Zarco (Larger). Following this stage the wort is cooled and aerated at which point the yeast is inoculated (pitched) so as to proceed to the brewing.
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BEER FILTERING
After fermentation the beer is filtered to take on a clear and translucent appearance. Before filtering the beer has a cloudy appearance due to particles in suspension, mostly yeast and complex proteins.
BOTTLING LINE
ECM currently has 5 bottling lines two of which are for glass bottling, one returnable the other non-returnable, 1 pet line (plastic packaging) and two others for beer barrels and soft drinks. On average in the summer we fill up to a total of 250,000 litres of beer, soft drinks and bottled water per day.
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Curiosities
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Exports
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