From energy consumption to structural profit: how What’s Cooking? turned its EBO programme into measurable business value

From complex energy challenges to organisation-wide support for change

At what was then Ter Beke — now known as What’s Cooking? — the challenge was to achieve structural energy savings within the EBO framework without compromising production, product quality or delivery reliability.

As a food manufacturer with multiple production sites and energy-intensive processes such as steam generation, cooling and compressed air systems, energy consumption was steadily increasing. At the same time, there was a need for an approach that went beyond technical analysis alone. Lasting results would require strong internal engagement and ownership to successfully implement and sustain improvements.

From shop-floor insights to a supported and cost-effective energy roadmap

Together with Encon, an innovative EBO process was implemented, with change management at its core.

For each production site, multidisciplinary teams consisting of operators, technical specialists and management were established. During interactive workshops, they jointly identified energy losses and opportunities for optimisation. This approach generated valuable insights that traditional audits often overlook, as they are rooted in day-to-day operational experience.

All identified measures were subsequently assessed from both a technical and financial perspective using the ISO 50001 methodology. The result was a concrete action plan focused on measurable returns, including initiatives related to electricity, steam, water and compressed air systems — ranging from quick wins to strategic investments.

From energy savings to measurable business value

The process resulted in a broadly supported energy roadmap with a clear impact on both sustainability performance and operational costs:

• More than €12,000 in annual savings through LED relighting
• Up to 3% energy reduction by addressing standby consumption
• Process improvements, including more efficient cooking cycles
• Continuous performance monitoring through energy tracking

In addition, larger investments became feasible, including the installation of solar panels through an ESCO model — requiring no upfront capital investment while generating immediate savings.

This case clearly demonstrates how Delivering Profitable Sustainability works in practice: sustainability initiatives that directly translate into lower operating costs, improved efficiency and a stronger competitive position.