In cider production, tight harvesting windows and high-volume processing place significant pressure on storage and planning. At Westons Cider Makers, one of the UK’s most established cider makers, apples from a single year’s harvest are sourced from orchards across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire to create the famous Henry Westons Vintage Cider. Once collected, the fruit is milled, pressed and fermented before slow maturation in traditional oak vats— a process that relies on careful handling, consistent quality and reliable visibility of every stage.
As their storage capacity increased, Westons Cider Makers needed instrumentation that could match the scale of the operation while remaining straightforward to work with. Past experiences highlighted the importance of strong after-sales service—particularly during busy periods where quick answers and reliable support can make a significant difference.
To give more guidance on what prompted them to reevaluate their measurement approach, Ed Garbett, Project Manager at Westons Cider Makers, explained: “Historically we have used pressure sensors to determine volume, but over time this has proved to show some inconsistencies due to processes during cider making. This led us to explore other options that would give us consistent, accurate and low maintenance results.”
They looked for a partner that could provide dependable technology alongside responsive guidance. VEGA’s reputation for clear service, robust equipment and uncomplicated commissioning aligned closely with the requirements of the project. This combination of product reliability and trusted support became a key factor in selecting a new measurement approach.To equip the new tank farm, Westons Cider Makers implemented a measurement architecture built around clarity, accuracy and ease of use. The setup includes:
Together, these instruments give operators a complete view of each vessel. Radar provides continuous, non-contact level measurement ideal for juice, while pressure transmitters add reliable insight into process conditions. Point level switches introduce an additional layer of safety by clearly defining high-level thresholds.
Digital tools also play an important role. With myVEGA, operators can access documentation, device data and configuration information in one place, supporting smoother day-to-day management. The VEGA Tools App enhances this further with features such as Backup & Restore, enabling users to safeguard configurations and reapply them quickly if a device is replaced. These tools help maintain consistency across the site and ensure that setup and maintenance remain efficient, even as the number of tanks grows.
Reflecting on the selection process, Ed reflects on Westons Cider Makers’ experience with choosing the right instrumentation:
“We contacted VEGA to explore these solutions for us, and their expert sales team supported us through selection of a range of options that suited our requirements. These solutions not only provided an excellent option for our requirements, but they also offered exceptional value compared to other market options with no surrender on performance and a marked improvement promise on outputs and accuracy.”
For brewery and cider applications, this combined approach—simple hardware, intuitive software and reliable measurement—delivers the information required for safe, efficient tank management without unnecessary complexity. It also ensures that the same measurement principles can be applied across multiple tanks, creating uniformity and reducing variability across the site.
With additional tanks available, the next priority was to turn new storage space into meaningful production benefits. Achieving this required accurate, real-time measurement data to support decisions throughout the harvest and beyond.
The upgraded setup has given Westons Cider Makers a much clearer picture of their available juice at every stage. This improves scheduling during the harvest period, ensures tanks are filled safely, and supports more controlled production planning throughout the rest of the year.
The impact is practical and measurable:
In a process shaped by a short, intense harvest window, reliable level and pressure measurement helps transform a seasonal constraint into a manageable, predictable workflow.
As the new tank farm moved into operation, they commented on the support they received during installation and commissioning:
“The after-sales and commissioning support has been excellent, with knowledgeable engineers available on-site to walk staff and other contractors through any issues or questions they may have had. Ahead of the next cider-making season, we are in a great position to increase our on-site capacity and our continued improvement of monitoring and accuracy throughout our processing.”
Alongside the instrumentation itself, digital support tools such as myVEGA and the VEGA Tools App help standardise day-to-day work. Features like Backup & Restore ensure settings are easy to safeguard and replicate, adding another layer of consistency to a busy production environment.
Clarity and consistency are essential in projects like these, especially when managing large scale processes and tank farms. The VEGA setup delivers a unified approach across the entire site: familiar interfaces, straightforward operation and reliable performance day after day.
Strong after-sales service has also played a decisive role. Responsive support from VEGA has reinforced confidence in the system and established a long-term, dependable partnership. The result is a measurement setup that supports efficiency, enhances operational control and fits naturally into the way the team works.
Westons Cider Makers experience highlights how dependable tank level measurement can strengthen the entire cider-making process. By combining radar sensors, pressure transmitters and point level switches with clear, consistent support, the site now benefits from increased storage capacity, improved operational visibility and a more stable manufacturing schedule. Together with digital tools such as myVEGA and the VEGA Tools App, the measurement setup strengthens visibility and makes the overall process easier to manage throughout the year
For breweries and cider producers facing similar challenges around raw-material seasonality and storage capacity, the right measurement approach offers a practical, reliable route to greater control. To explore level measurement solutions tailored to your process, look at our dedicated industry page and reach out to our friendly team for more information.