Bimbo Bakeries USA

Bimbo Bakeries USA, a food processing company, advanced ENERGY STAR® within the baking industry by highlighting the energy efficiency achievements of 18 bakeries certified with the ENERGY STAR and two bakeries that achieved the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. Key 2023 accomplishments include:

• Sharing the company’s engagement with ENERGY STAR resources during an industry podcast and through newswire releases.
• Investing in the automation and modernization of outdated and inefficient ovens, oxidizers, and boilers by installing direct spark ignition controls and high-efficiency burners that adapt to production demands.
• Reducing natural gas consumption through improved NOx emission controls and heat recovery technology.
• Installing new ovens or digitizing oven burner controls at seven bakeries with reduction potentials of 5% to 10% in natural gas consumption. The new ovens have the benefit of more consistent baking to reduce food and product waste, which also results in energy savings.
• Expanding investments in electric and natural gas metering, enabling employees to monitor and control real-time energy data.
• Implementing Strategic Energy Management programs across 14 bakeries and appointing 42 energy champions to conduct energy audits, ENERGY STAR Treasure Hunts, and efficiency workshops to enhance the company’s sustainability culture.
• Advancing the company’s commitment to decarbonize operations through the completion of four on-site microgrids (i.e., solar arrays with battery storage) to power nearly 25% of each bakery’s operations. Bimbo also added 59 electric trucks to its fleet.