Findus’ journey to water efficiency with MRI Software’s energy solution

How data-driven innovation transformed water usage and sustainability outcomes

Findus, one of Norway’s leading producers of frozen vegetables and French fries, has long been recognised for its commitment to quality and operational excellence. But with rising costs and sustainability pressures and water forming a critical component of food processing Findus saw an opportunity to take greater control over its resource consumption.

Through its long-term partnership with MRI Software and the implementation of MRI Energy, Findus has redefined how data can drive measurable impact. By embedding transparency, control and continuous improvement into water management, the company has not only more than halved its water usage over 15 years, but also unlocked significant cost savings and operational resilience.

The Challenge: Water usage without insight is unsustainable

Operating in an industry where water is an essential component of production – and a significant operational cost – Findus encountered several pressing challenges. High water consumption was at the forefront; cleaning and processing vegetables is inherently water intensive. In 2009, Findus used approximately 600,000 cubic metres of water annually, making it one of the major consumers in the region.

Several key challenges highlighted the need for change:

• Increased operational dependency on water for daily production, with limited ability to track accurate usage.
• In Norway, water costs are rising creating financial pressure with rate increases offsetting many of the conservation gains that are already in motion.
• A lack of granular data meant teams within Findus were unable to isolate inefficiencies or benchmark usage across machinery and product lines.
• A lack of visibility at operator level meant frontline teams had little insight or ownership over water efficiency.
• Difficulty maintaining focus without consistent reporting made long-term improvements tough to sustain.

These challenges required more than equipment upgrades, it required a complete rethink as to how water data was captured, shared and acted upon.

The Solution: How MRI Energy provided the power of visibility

Built around the implementation of MRI Energy, Findus embarked on a strategic overhaul of its water management processes, providing deep visibility and continuous optimisation of utility consumption.

Key actions included:

• Factory-wide metering rollout: Water meters were installed across nearly all machinery to capture real-time, machine-level consumption.
• Powerful visualisation through live dashboards: Operators gained visibility through MRI Energy’s user-friendly interface, enabling real-time responses and stronger accountability.
• Automated control systems: Level sensors and smart valves were introduced to manage water flow dynamically, reducing unnecessary waste during cleaning and changeovers.
• Targeted annual improvements: Small-scale projects focused on specific inefficiencies, driving compound gains and a targeted 10% reduction in usage year-on-year.
• Production-integrated insights: Correlating water usage with specific products and lines helped Findus refine cost models and spot untapped savings opportunities.
• Behavioural and cultural shifts: MRI Energy’s dashboard and reporting tools helped make water efficiency part of the company’s operational DNA, from operators to senior managers.

MRI Energy gave us the transparency we needed to change behaviours and make smarter decisions. By building water efficiency into the daily workflow and making data accessible to our people, we’ve seen dramatic improvements not just in cost, but in how our teams think about sustainability.

– Oscar Andreassen, Findus

The Results: Halving water usage, doubling the impact

The strategic application of MRI Energy and a culture of ongoing innovation produced remarkable results for Findus:

Water usage reduced by over 50%: From 2009 to 2024, Findus more than halved its water usage, dropping from 525,000 cubic metres to just 245,000 cubic metres per year.

• Cost savings of approximately 50%, helping Findus offset rising water rates and reinvest in further innovations to drive efficiency.
• Sustained low consumption even as product volumes diversify and scale through regular reporting and renewed focus.
• Enhanced Awareness and Accountability: The transparency created by MRI Energy has made every team member, from line operators to management, a stakeholder in sustainability and cost control, embedding resource consciousness into the organisational culture.
• Future-Ready Operations: With ongoing integration of production and consumption data, Findus is now positioned to identify further opportunities, such as optimising water use by product type and to adapt to future cost pressures or regulatory requirements.

Findus demonstrates how data can drive long-term operational change. Their commitment to continuous improvement and team engagement sets the benchmark for what’s possible when technology and ambition align.

– Tim Pont, Account Manager, MRI Software