After several challenging months, the hospitality industry needs support as lockdown eases. For many brewers, cider makers and other drinks manufacturers, the renewed focus is on increasing production and moving towards businesses as usual.
At Close Brothers, our drinks equipment and container solutions are designed with businesses in mind and we’re committed to adapting to meet new requirements. Here are a few of the things we’re doing now to help breweries get moving again:
- Fast logistics and container solutions
With over 250,000 containers, we have the largest owned collection of casks and kegs in UK. We also offer world-leading services in cleaning and maintenance, as well as decanting services which help brewers and pubs to dispose of container contents in an environmentally friendly manner.
This part of our service has remained open throughout the crisis, and now, as usual keg and cask cycles begin again, our depots are ready to help with logistics and supply containers quickly.
- Innovation and problem solving
Our drinks equipment specialists have also been able to help several businesses with canning and bottling lines, enabling them to extend their lines or get their products out to new markets during lockdown and beyond. We have strong, long-standing relationships with supplier partners and industry leaders, enabling us to excel when sourcing equipment and agreeing finance terms.
We hope to be able to help more innovative brewers as they avail new and alternative trading opportunities.
- Half price short term rental ecasks
We recognise that getting back to business as usual will be challenging, so Close Brothers will offer 50 per cent off their unwashed 9-gallon ecasks throughout July and August to help the industry increase capacity and move forward.
In addition, those using the half price service will benefit from extended payment terms of up to 60-days. This provides an additional 20 days to pay, which may provide some cash flow relief as breweries and cider producers begin to service the hospitality sector again.
The drinks industry specialist is well-known for their ecask and ekeg solution, which allows breweries to take a ‘fill and forget’ approach to wholesale distribution. Beer and cider producers simply rent and fill containers, report which wholesaler they have been delivered to, and Close Brothers will collect them when they are empty.
Now, as hospitality businesses reopen, Close Brothers is keen to support the industry with flexible term container rental solutions. They will offer 50 per cent off their unwashed 9-gallon ecasks throughout July and August to help the industry move forward.
In addition, those using the half price service will benefit from extended payment terms of up to 60-days. This gives businesses an additional 20 days to pay, which may provide some cash flow relief as breweries and cider producers begin to service the hospitality sector again.
Close Brothers is also offering contactless deliveries to brewers and a bulk scanning facility to help organisations maintain social distancing where possible. It is hoped that this will facilitate the smooth and efficient running of deliveries and collections.
David Beswick, Managing Director at Close Brothers Brewery Rentals, said:
“The hospitality sector has been amongst those hit hardest by this crisis, but as lockdown restrictions ease, many will be looking forward to serving much loved drinks again, albeit in slightly revised settings.
“It is vital that the industry is supported as things progress. There will be continued challenges, but we know first-hand that the businesses we work with are passionate about their products and incredibly innovative. Perhaps most importantly, they are key to the economy and our communities alike.
“At Close Brothers, we recognise that businesses may have additional pressure on cash flow and will need to be flexible and responsive at this time. Our drinks equipment and container solutions are designed with businesses in mind, and this half price offer reflects our commitment to that approach.
“To the breweries, pubs and others reopening I say: we are proud to work alongside you, and we’re determined to provide help where possible. We will continue to evolve together.”
