Noble Foods optimise operations and get closer to net zero with network transformation

United Kingdom, Oct 4, 2024

The customer

Noble Foods is a leading supplier of fresh food brands to major retailers and consumers across the UK. Their business encompasses pullet rearing, egg production, feed manufacturing, hen processing and renewable energies.

The group operates in a challenging business environment and has a mature climate action plan aiming to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

The objective

Noble Foods sought to transform their network infrastructure to support critical business operations and meet sustainability goals through:

Enhancing Network Capabilities: 

The client aimed to modernise their infrastructure by upgrading their end-of-life network connecting over 17 initial locations, improving security, and increasing agility to respond to business demands. This initiative focused on seamlessly integrating new locations, enhancing resilience, and introducing new services as needed.

Implementing Sustainable Network Design:

Sustainable network design was a key aspect of the project, embedding efficiency into the technical design through power-efficient devices and Meraki Power Sensors. This approach significantly reduced on-site visits, prioritised low power consumption solutions, and reinforced the commitment to energy efficiency.

Meeting Circularity goals for legacy hardware:

The project emphasised ethical disposal and circular economy goals, utilising Cisco's 'Take Back' programme for safe disposal of legacy hardware and promoting recycling. Pre- and post transformation reports quantified the impact on consumption, carbon footprint, and costs, aligning the network modernisation with broader sustainability and ethical business practices.

The solution

Logicalis delivered a comprehensive Wide Area Network Transformation solution to address the client's needs which were increased agility, enhanced security and demonstrating sustainability leadership. 

This solution encompassed the migration from a legacy MPLS/IP WAN solution to Cisco Meraki SD-WAN, coupled with the deployment of a cloud-orchestrated system. The new infrastructure ensured high availability across data centre and site locations, significantly enhancing network reliability and performance. 

Logicalis implemented this solution through a full Managed Service approach, providing ongoing support and expertise to maintain optimal network operations. In partnership with Cisco will provide a full takeback of the legacy hardware.

The results

The transformation yielded substantial sustainability benefits, including:   

  • 6.5% decrease in devices in the initial WLAN project and 99% of devices will be returned as part of the Cisco takeback scheme.  
  • 15% annual energy reduction of 34,230 kWh, and a corresponding 15% reduction in energy costs, saving £7,654 ($9568) per annum.  

Moreover, the project resulted in avoiding 7.7 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the carbon output of a typical petrol-powered passenger vehicle driven for 19,693 miles, underscoring the significant environmental impact of this network modernisation.

This transformation positions Noble Foods as a leader in sustainable network infrastructure, supporting their business objectives while contributing to their long-term environmental goals.[CW1] 

*Calculated based on UK average energy cost per kWh

I'm thrilled with our partnership with Logicalis, which has transformed our network with a focus on sustainability. Their power-efficient design built on Cisco Meraki SD-WAN, will reduce our energy consumption by 15% or 34,000 Kilowatt hours per annum. Logicalis’ commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions makes them an invaluable partner in our journey towards a greener future.

Andrew Sharman, Group Head of IT, Noble Foods

 

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