FLOW & LEVEL CONTROL
RELIABLE LEVEL AND PRESSURE MEASUREMENT IN CIDER TANK FARMS
Using accurate level and pressure measurement instrumentation to maintain stability in a seasonal, high- volume process
n cider production, tight harvesting windows and high-volume processing place significant pressure on storage and planning. At Westons Cider Makers, apples from a single year’s harvest are sourced 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 oak vats — a process that relies on consistent quality and reliable visibility at every stage.
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From September to December, large quantities of juice must be processed and stored efficiently to support year-round production. Accurate tank level measurement plays a central role in this, helping prevent overfills, minimise product loss and give production teams confidence during the busiest period. When measurement technology is reliable, intuitive and well supported, it becomes an important part of maintaining stable performance in an inherently seasonal process. Although cider production continues throughout the year, raw material availability does not. Westons Cider Makers already have an efficient process to pulp, juice and store large volumes of base cider, but the short harvest window places natural pressure on storage operations. Tanks must be filled safely, monitored accurately and managed at pace. Juice volumes rise quickly once processing begins. Dependable tank level measurement provides clear visibility of available storage space, reduces the risk of overfills and keeps planning aligned with real-time capacity. To strengthen this foundation, Westons Cider Makers expanded their tank farm and refined their measurement approach.
As storage capacity increased, the team needed instrumentation that could match the scale of the operation while remaining straightforward to use. Strong after-sales service also became a key consideration. To explain what prompted them to re- evaluate their approach, Ed Garbett, Project
10 JANUARY 2026 | PROCESS & CONTROL
Manager, shared: “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.”
VEGA’s reputation for robust equipment, clear service and uncomplicated commissioning aligned closely with the project requirements. The new tank farm is equipped with a measurement architecture built around clarity, accuracy and ease of use, including: • VEGAPULS 21/31 radar sensors for continuous level measurement • VEGABAR 28/29 pressure transmitters for stable process monitoring • VEGAPOINT 21 point level switches for level limits and overfill protection
Digital tools support this further. With myVEGA, operators can access documentation and device data in one place, while the VEGA Tools App provides functions such as Backup &
Restore, allowing quick replication of configurations if a device is replaced. Reflecting on the selection process, Ed noted: “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.”
Accurate, real-time measurement has already delivered meaningful benefits. Westons Cider Makers now have a clearer picture of available juice throughout the harvest period and improved control over scheduling, safety and storage planning. Practical outcomes include: • More capacity for year-round manufacturing
• Better visibility during intake and processing • Reduced risk of overfills
• More consistent output despite seasonal fluctuations
Ed added: “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.”
VEGA Controls
www.vega.com/uk
Westons Cider Makers’ experience shows how reliable level and pressure measurement can strengthen the entire process
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