TO GO FAST YOU GO ALONE BUT TO GO FAR YOU GO TOGETHER

By Daemon Sands

Close Brothers Brewery Rentals offer tailored solutions for kegs, casks and drinks equipment, bringing together a team of specialists with extensive experience and knowledge to find the right solutions for businesses within the brewery industry.

A specialist division of Close Brothers Group plc, who’s underpinning are traditional values complimented by responsible practises and an ethical approach to lending, Close Brothers’ purpose is to help the people and businesses of the UK and Ireland over the long term. Employing over 3,700 people, principally in the UK, the company is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues are proud to work and feel supported, valued and respected.

People Over Equipment

While, demonstratively, the company provides the highest standard of equipment to breweries across the United Kingdom, it is their people that makes the business as strong as it is. The Close Brother culture actively encourages staff to be themselves, gaining strength from the diversity that people bring to the table rather than just the strength of numbers. Different people draw from different experiences, which can provide different and original perspectives. Diversity is important but unless you have the inclusion these people will not stay. People who can successfully balance their work and life commitments while being supported by their team, will have a much more positive attitude and will perform better. Close Brother’s flexibility is a major benefit to the staff, for example the home contract allows people to work remotely and, in some instances, choose flexible working hours.

Their people-centric approach includes investing in learning and development to support staff, allowing them to explore career aspirations by gaining qualifications that will enable them to pursue higher earning roles with greater responsibility.

Staff agree that the company has a focus on mindfulness and communication, with an open relationship existing between colleagues where things are transparent and clear. A great deal of effort is put into informing and educating staff about neurodiversity in the workplace, to further enable the sense of community in the office.

Strong Leadership

Close Brothers Brewery Rentals recently announced the appointment of Ross Mair, as the new managing director. A position that follows a lengthy career working for the titans in the brewery trade. This includes eighteen years working for the Dutch brewer Heineken in various commercial roles throughout the UK and Europe and two years spent with Close Brothers as Commercial Director.

Ross stepped into the position left by former MD David Beswick, who, after 12 years with the company, stepped down after working tirelessly to develop the business and its product portfolio in the brewing and distilling sectors. Ross reveals that during the last few years both he and David have overseen the development and implementation of a classleading short-term keg rental model EkegPlus, which uses industry-leading technology to provide improved value to customers. “I’m excited to be taking the helm at Close Brothers Brewery Rentals, following David’s exceptional work growing the brand and establishing

For quality Brewing, Distilling & Winery equipment, sundries and expertise

Providing and sourcing high quality, compliant and fitfor-purpose equipment and sundries for the brewing, distilling and winery sectors. From casks and barrels, hoses, valves, pumps, heat exchangers, to full plant delivery, custom instrument panels, ATEX-rated equipment, we o er the operational expertise and insight to suit your individual requirements.

our market leading products,” he says, “I will continue to champion EkegPlus as a flexible and efficient rental tool for brewers of all sizes, as well as supporting the beverage industry across the UK and Ireland with specialist funding and leasing solutions, and in innovating and investing for the future of the industry.”

TACKLING REALWORLD ISSUES.

The brewing industry is one based on science and there is a list of specific issues that Close Brothers Brewery Rentals and Ross Mair are aiming to address, such as the navigation of the seasonal fluctuations experienced by British craft breweries.

As with many businesses in the hospitality sector, preparing for peaks in demand is crucial for businesses to succeed, limit waste products and maximizing sales. Brewing independently often comes with a set of challenges that include tight profit margins and a need to forecast well, sometimes with limited information. Here are some ways to approach seasonal highs and lows to keep costs low and maximize profits.

The other important aspect is the utilisation of all available data for forecasting. Data adds value across all sectors, giving insight into operations, finance, productivity and sustainability. Collaboration and adaptation are equally important, and for many business owners in the drinks sector the fluctuations of customer demand may be second nature to them but using data to prepare accordingly will make a brewery more resilient.

For craft brewers, their local area is the frontline of their customer base, particularly with many breweries having their facilities open to the public. Collaborating with other businesses in their area is a terrific way to highlight products and support local ventures.

From collaborative coffee stouts and porters to discounted orders with a local restaurant or takeaway, community minded events and products can introduce new customers to your business.

The Benefit Of Ekegplus

At Close Brothers Brewery Rentals, their EkegPlus container rental pooling service is helping brewers across the country become more flexible and adapt to changes in demand.

EkegPlus customers can access a container pool of over 400,000 ekegs and ecasks and have the freedom to adjust the size of their rental fleet as often as needed. The payas-you-fill model gives users more control, with charges calculated per day, providing the flexibility to increase output or reduce costs. With fixed RFID tags, brewers can track and manage hundreds of containers in seconds. Plus, they have access to data that enables better understanding of products, logistics and supply chains, as well as increased asset visibility.

Financing In The Distellery Industry

Planning for success in the distillery industry means planning for expansion and innovation, and knowing how and when to fund new equipment needed to help realise this success can be challenging.

Distilleries employ creativity to grow and develop brands. Incorporating this, alongside navigating the increased cost of doing business, means funding options that offer bespoke and flexible solutions are increasingly important.

Finance Options

Finance options fall into two main categories when it comes to getting equipment, finance leasing and hire purchase. It can be to grow production, invest in more efficient operations, packaging and labelling lines or to implement technology to decrease carbon emissions and reduce energy costs. It can be tailored to meet individual requirements, from established distilleries needing a fermentation vessel to installing a completely new distillery.

Lease Or Purchase

Both finance leases and hire purchases provide a way to acquire equipment without a significant upfront cost, aiding in monthly budgeting and clear forecasting for sustainable growth. A finance lease allows you to rent an asset over a specified period, and at the end of the contract, you can choose to continue leasing, return the asset, or make a final payment to own the equipment. This option is excellent for distillers with ambitious growth plans, offering tax advantages and flexibility. Well-planned finance leasing can align the end of the rental period with new investment needs, such as adding tanks to boost brewing capacity.

On the other hand, a hire purchase agreement is similar but ensures ownership of the asset at the end of the contract period. This financing method is beneficial for distilleries aiming to increase production, as acquiring additional equipment like extra vessels can expand capacity to meet higher demand.