A message from Tim Clay
Author: Communications Team
Date: 02 04 2020 00:00
Employee Name: Tim Clay
Job Title: Managing Director, Asahi UK
These are strange times indeed, and circumstances I don’t think any of us could have imagined having to navigate through, either personally or professionally. The situation faced in the retail and hospitality sector is completely unprecedented, and as a supplier to businesses of all sizes across this spectrum, we are working on overdrive to find ways to support our valued customers – as well as the communities in which we operate.
The government announcement on the evening of Friday 20th March is one I’ll certainly never forget, as it signalled the effective nationwide closure of the On-Trade. In advance of that announcement, we had already proactively contacted our customers to implement a range of measures to support their business stability, with untold pressures already being felt in the On-Trade at the time due to the emergence of social distancing. Our immediate support measures then included:
- Facilitating the cancellation of existing orders
- Supporting stock uplift and crediting stock on keg & cask, in-depot and in-outlet
- Increasing the flexibility on minimum order quantities
- Offering up-weighted cellar support to help manage dormant lines, and set-up for the recommissioning of cellars upon reopening – including a dedicated helpline for customers
With these stability measures in place, we looked immediately to how we can support ongoing business continuity and strengthening for the longer term, when the time comes for customers to reopen their doors. This includes an investment in beer category certification training with Cicerone, for some customers to use to upskill their bar staff. We are continually speaking with customers and industry partners about the actions, innovations and investments that will future proof businesses and the sector at large.
Whilst this is all happening in the On-trade, the Off-trade is of course experiencing exceptionally high demand and straining to keep shelves stocked. To that end, we are also in constant, close dialogue with our retail customers to support them through this period. Our brewing and supply chain network remains fully operational, so we are well-positioned to work with our customers to maintain stock levels and meet consumer demand.
Pubs, bars and shops are crucial pillars of the community up and down the country and we must protect them. Importantly, we are also doing a number of things to support the local communities where we operate, from donations to supporting volunteering through our own colleague network across the UK. We’ve found some small ways to support frontline workers, including dedicated online discounts and sending free post-work beers from our breweries to NHS staff working across London hospitals, such as Chelsea & Westminster, Middlesex and Barts Royal London.
And we will always look to do more. We are assessing the evolving landscape, and continually working to develop new ways to support our customers and communities at this extraordinary time. We are focused on taking the actions that matter most, those with immediate benefit for the short term, whilst planning for the future.
Tim Clay, Managing Director, Asahi UK