Outcome as a Service
Saving energy, cutting costs, reducing CO₂ emissions – all without risk for the customer? Bühler is taking a bold step forward with a new service model: Outcome as a Service (OaaS) offers customers measurable savings that are only paid for when they are realized. Bühler’s first projects show that it works, and the future of industrial efficiency is based on partnerships.
Burkhard Boendel, June 2025
Energy is a key factor in industrial processes – both economically and ecologically. This also applies to milling: “One of the most important KPIs of a milling operation is electricity consumption per tonne of flour,” explains Martin Stäger, Head of Service Transformation at Bühler. In well-maintained and well-managed systems, this value is between 50 and 75 kilowatt hours (kWh) per tonne of wheat. It is a significant cost factor and a lever for optimization.
The better the system is maintained, adjusted, and operated, the more efficiently it runs and the less energy it requires. “In many cases, we can reduce consumption by up to 10 percent,” says Stäger. An example from a customer in Greece shows savings of up to 15 percent, resulting in lower costs, reduced CO2, and improved processes.
With its new Outcome as a Service (OaaS) model, Bühler is taking service to the next level: the focus is not just on the service provided, but also on the impact on operations as a result of the service, such as energy saved. “The customer only pays for the service if we achieve the promised effect,” explains Livia Höhener, Head of Customer Service Europe at Bühler. “This means we deliberately assume part of the risk.”
OaaS has a modular structure. It begins with a discovery session at the management and the production management level in which strategic goals and possible levers are discussed. This is followed by a technical assessment of the plant on site, including an analysis of process parameters, electrical systems, and automation potential.
This is followed by implementation and continuous fine-tuning during operation. The measures range from retrofitting more efficient motor controls and optimizing the aspiration system to automating entire sub-processes. “In one example, we replaced two old machines with a new one, which not only improved performance but also saved a significant amount of energy,” explains Höhener.
Even minor interventions have an effect. Incorrectly set filter pressure or poorly maintained rollers cause unnecessary energy use. This can be rectified relatively easily. Bühler not only draws on process and technology expertise, but also uses its own digital platform Bühler Insights. This creates transparency about ongoing operations and pinpoints deviations at an early stage.
The example from Greece highlights the potential. Two mills with a combined capacity of around 300 tonnes per day were analyzed and optimized. The result was an annual reduction of 234 tonnes of CO2e and more than 400,000 kWh of electricity saved. “What’s crucial, is that these savings have a direct impact on the customer’s profit margin,” explains Stäger. “They also help make the mills more future-proof.”
But the financial aspect is only part of the story. The model establishes a new and innovative form of collaboration. Bühler and the customer act as true partners, working side by side with a common goal and shared responsibility. “It’s no longer just about spare parts, service, and routine maintenance,” says Höhener. “It’s about enhancing business performance and improving outcomes together.”
OaaS is currently still in the pilot phase. The learnings and experiences gained from the first projects are very promising. “Outcome as a Service is a model for the future,” says Höhener. “What is really unique about it is that it combines benefits for the customer’s business with innovation. It enables their profitable growth while at the same time minimizing their footprint in terms of emissions, energy, waste, and water.”
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