Interlaken, a popular tourist destination, lies in the mountainous Bernese Highlands and is flanked on two sides by a large lake: Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east. Passengers can cruise across Lake Thun on eight different ships, while four ships sail across Lake Brienz. The SV AG team, which is responsible for catering the entire fleet on both lakes, has been using Schaerer coffee machines for 25 years now. A total of 24 machines from different generations are currently in use – and some since the beginning of the partnership. By next year all the older models will gradually be replaced by the Schaerer Coffee Soul 10.
Attractive tourist destination
Interlaken, a popular tourist destination, lies in the mountainous Bernese Highlands. It is surrounded by large lakes on two sides. Lake Thun in the west radiates a real holiday feel with its turquoise hue, while Lake Brienz in the east captivates visitors with its steep shores and Giessbach Falls.
The fleet of 12 ships belonging to BLS Schifffahrt AG – including three historic steamboats – transports more than a million passengers a year on the two lakes in the Highlands, and they have the chance to enjoy seasonal and local specialities while on board. Passengers can cruise across Lake Thun on eight different ships, while four ships sail across Lake Brienz.
Accurate planning
Equipped with the Uptime! descaling system, the Schaerer Coffee Soul makes it possible for employees to easily descale the machines on their own at any time. This not only offers a high level of flexibility, but also reduces costs, since a Schaerer service technician is not required here. Simply insert a cartridge for descaling and the process can get started. The coffee machine is then ready for use again within a very short amount of time – if the descaling process is done at night, the Schaerer Coffee Soul is available again first thing in the morning, meaning it won't interrupt service.
This is a big advantage, especially given the tight operating schedule of the ships. This is due to the fact that service or repair work can only be carried out in and on the ship when they dock in the evening. Since the fleet is in operation both in summer and in winter, planning the service intervals is a real challenge for Schaerer. Experience has shown that flexibility and precise planning are essential – as are the pills that calm the seasickness of many a service employee.
Indulgence at sea
A bowl of soup from the Bernese Highlands region, a Brienz meat and cheese platter and a coffee cocktail with plum schnapps to round out the meal – unfortunately we have no record of what was served on the maiden voyage of the steamboat Bellevue on Lake Thun on 31 July 1835. Today, however, these dishes are on the menu and are the perfect addition to the impressive mountain scenery and glittering reflections on the lakes of the Bernese Highlands.
