RED Stripe has made a major investment in digital technology with the launch of Digital Backbone (DBB), a new operational platform designed to modernise its brewery operations, improve productivity, and strengthen competitiveness in an increasingly demanding business environment.

The investment forms part of Red Stripe’s continued programme of modernisation across its Spanish Town Road brewery, building on recent investments to expand brewing capacity, strengthen returnable packaging operations, and upgrade fermentation and storage systems. Together, these investments are helping to improve efficiency, support innovation, and reinforce Red Stripe’s position as one of Jamaica’s leading manufacturers.

Managing Director Daaf Van Tilburg said the investment reflects the growing importance of digitisation in helping businesses adapt, compete and grow.

“In today’s environment, where businesses are facing rising costs, changing consumer demand and increasing pressure to move faster and operate more efficiently, having the right systems in place is critical,” Van Tilburg said. “This investment allows us to connect our operations more effectively, improve visibility across the value chain and make faster, better decisions. That level of agility is essential if we are to remain productive, competitive and continue delivering for our customers and suppliers,” added Van Tilburg.

Digital Backbone integrates production, inventory, warehousing, logistics and order management into one connected system, giving teams greater visibility across the operation and improving the speed and quality of decision-making.

From front: Red Stripe Head of Finance Roberto Vazzoler; Managing Director Daaf Van Tilburg; DBB Local Transition Manager Dr Cavell Francis; DBB Regional Transition Manager Belem Rojo; DBB Regional Programme Manager Remco Van Oppen, cut a commemorative cake during Red Stripe’s official go-live celebration for the new operating technology.

The platform is expected to reduce manual processes, improve stock accuracy, streamline warehouse activity, and strengthen order fulfilment, helping Red Stripe respond more quickly to market demand and improve product availability across Jamaica.

Customers and trade partners are expected to benefit from faster order processing, improved delivery coordination and greater supply reliability. Suppliers and vendors will also have enhanced visibility into demand planning, allowing for stronger forecasting, better alignment and more efficient transactions.

Red Stripe spent more than a year preparing for the implementation, working alongside regional and global teams to build, test and transition to the new system, replacing several legacy processes with more efficient and integrated digital work flows.

As part of the roll-out, Red Stripe became the first brewery in the HEINEKEN Americas region to implement the Digital Backbone platform, reinforcing the company’s leadership in operational transformation and digital advancement.

To demonstrate the system in action, Red Stripe conducted a live outbound logistics exercise during the launch event.

Members of Red Stripe’s local DBB implementation team celebrate the successful launch of the new infrastructure following months of preparation, testing and training.

The exercise culminated in the successful dispatch of 20 pallets of Red Stripe products, with teams completing the full loading process in approximately 45 minutes, demonstrating the speed, coordination and efficiency the new platform is expected to deliver.

Red Stripe’s local transition manager for the DBB implementation, Dr Cavell Francis, said the system will bring immediate improvements to how teams work across the business.

“Many of the processes will now be more automated, reducing paperwork and improving turnaround times,” Francis said. “Teams will also have access to more real-time information, which means faster responses, stronger coordination and better service delivery.”

Van Tilburg credited employees and supporting teams for delivering the transition after months of planning, testing and around-the-clock execution.

“This was a significant undertaking and a major team effort. What we have built strengthens our ability to innovate faster, respond more effectively to market needs and continue delivering value across the supply chain,” declared Van Tilburg.