Cheesemaking is an art that requires skill and dedication, especially with Gruyère. First, each wheel must be soaked, then turned in its aging position – at least once a week. It is sprayed with salt water and meticulously brushed.
Regular sampling checks if its flavor meets the high standards expected of the famous Swiss hard cheese, “Gruyère.” This initial ripening process takes nine months. Afterward, the wheel is moved to another location. As you can see, this is a demanding and labor-intensive task, traditionally performed by hand for hundreds of years.

But as we know, time never stands still. In recent years, things have changed. We at Swiss Interim Management visited the Swiss Association for Temperature-Controlled Logistics (SVTL) in Moudon, marveling at what cheesemaking looks like in 2024. We explored how laser scanners and magnetic tracks fit into the ancient sandstone caves of Moudon - and sampled a range of cheeses, some turned by human hands and others by robots.
We enter the vast underground vault, where a sharp smell of ammonia hits us. This former brewery cellar maintains a constant temperature of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius and humidity between 92 and 96% – ideal conditions for the care and
precise maturation of cheese. Several family-run businesses and local dairies joined forces about a hundred years ago to take advantage of these optimal conditions. Today, up to 150,000 heavy cheese wheels are stored and maintained in these sandstone caves, spanning a total of about 20,000 square meters.
However, fewer employees want to take on the physically demanding task of cheese maintenance by hand. The work is not only strenuous but can also be harmful, leading to back pain and discomfort. Plus, it is monotonous. Turning and rotating the 35-kilogram cheese wheels requires considerable strength but is otherwise seen as routine, offering little challenge or excitement. The rapid technological advances have thus been a welcome change for many in the cheese industry, who have also embraced support from their diligent new colleagues – the cheesemaking robots!
Robotic Cheese Care System – How It Works:
Modern dairies increasingly use automated systems for cheese maintenance. Here’s a brief insight into a cutting-edge, robot-managed cheese care system:
1. Handling Cheese Wheels: 25 driverless vehicles whiz through the sandstone caves, managing the loading and unloading of storage racks holding the cheese wheels.
A complex task, with 4,660 storage spots across 18 levels in what Philipp Hoops from Dematic describes as an “operationally dynamic scenario.”
2. Navigation: Guided by laser scanners and supplemented by magnetic tracks, with some free and others wire-guided navigation to bridge gaps when one of the systems fails.
3. Specialized Grippers: Each robotic vehicle has special grippers to lift the cheese wheels from their wooden boards and place them onto the care system’s conveyor belt.
4. Cleaning Process: The system first separates the board from the cheese. Then both the board and the cheese wheel are cleaned.
5. Washing and Brushing: The cheese is washed and brushed to maintain its surface.
6. Salt Treatment: After cleaning, the cheese is sprayed with salt.
7. Drying: The wheel is dried before being placed back onto its board.
8. Returning to Storage: The robotic vehicles return the maintained cheese wheels to their designated racks.
These automated systems can care for 80 to 120 cheese wheels per hour, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing physical strain on staff: only three employees are needed to monitor and control the system, although they retain ultimate responsibility. The cheesemakers now have more time to focus on quality.
Back to Moudon: After thoroughly exploring the storage hall, we enjoyed an aperitif – naturally with plenty of delicious Gruyère. We were eager to taste it: does machine-aged “Gruyère” taste as good as hand-turned? We can answer with a resounding “yes!”
Interim Management: A Catalyst for Success in Automation
In today's landscape, businesses across industries – especially in sectors like food production—face the dual challenge of effectively adopting modern automation technologies while fostering a positive work environment for employees. In this era of rapid automation, interim management has become an invaluable asset, especially during periods of transformation. Interim managers bring the expertise needed to implement advanced technologies, balancing operational efficiency with employee engagement.
Key Benefits of Interim Management
Agility and Expertise: Interim managers provide specialized skills that are particularly beneficial during transformative periods. They offer immediate responsiveness to complex changes and develop tailored solutions that address unique challenges.
Enhanced Efficiency and Quality: Through the implementation and fine-tuning of automated processes, interim managers significantly improve production efficiency. This not only boosts product quality and consistency but also accelerates time-to-market, enabling swift adaptation to evolving market demands.
Employee Development and Integration: Rather than posing a threat to jobs, automation opens up new opportunities for employees. Interim managers champion ongoing training and skill development, empowering the workforce to step into new, creative, and meaningful roles.
Innovation and Technology Transfer: With fresh perspectives and innovative approaches, interim managers infuse valuable insights into the organization. They facilitate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and processes, strengthening competitiveness across various sectors, from manufacturing to logistics and food production.
Case Study: Automation in Cheese Production
A prime example of successful automation can be seen at Emmi's cheese production facility in Moudon. Here, modern robots handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks, allowing employees to concentrate on skilled roles. Interim managers are instrumental in this transformation, guiding the transition to new technologies and ensuring the workforce remains actively engaged in the change.
Through targeted training sessions and workshops, employees gain the skills to operate and monitor new technologies, enhancing their motivation and job satisfaction as they actively shape their work environment.
Conclusion
Interim management has proven itself invaluable in periods of change and transformation, ensuring a seamless integration of automation technologies without sidelining the human element. Instead, it provides employees with an engaging and creatively stimulating work environment, allowing them to thrive. As seen in our example of cheese production, companies not only remain competitive but also foster an inspiring workplace for their teams.
Within our network, we offer interim managers with extensive expertise in integrating advanced automation technologies. If you're interested in learning more or have specific needs, schedule a consultation today to explore how we can support your goals.
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