SPL International Newsletter, October '16

P2-3 / SPL Updates P4-6 / New Brands and P7-8 / Industry Round- P9 / Company Initiatives

Updating you on what’s Manufacturing Capabilities Up Projects and activities SPL
been happening at the Learn about SPL’s own We take a look at the key
company over the past branded products and our issues of Brexit and the have been taking part in.
couple of months. new grain packing process. latest market trends.

ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2016

Welcome to the first ever issue of opportunities it could present for that in addition to our usual
the SPL International Newsletter. you and your business. This issue communications this will keep
We’ve put this newsletter we talk about Hard Sodas and the you involved and updated with our
together to inform you about the wider ‘Near Beer’ market (see business and our team’s efforts to
latest news surrounding SPL as page 8 for article). continue ‘Serving you better’.
a business, our industries, what With so much exciting work We hope you enjoy reading this
we’ve been working on and future happening at SPL - such as the newsletter and what it has to
plans. We’re also taking a closer appointment of our new General offer. Please feel free to contact
look into the alcoholic drinks Manager, the launch of new us for any further information or
industry as a whole, with so much brands and the implementation if you have any questions.
innovation, product development of new manufacturing capabilities
and new trends happening across (all covered inside), we felt
the industry we will focus on one now was the perfect time to
‘trend’ per issue looking at what start this newsletter. We hope

BRC Audit

SPL recently had its British Retail We are very proud and excited to You can read more about what the BRC
Consortium (BRC) annual audit against announce that our manufacturing site Standard covers here.
the new BRC version 7 standard. This achieved Grade AA - the highest grade
is a very important audit for SPL, as possible!
it offers a thorough examination of As a customer this achievement can
our business’s processes and quality assure you that SPL are a company
standards - things that we are very that reaches high levels of competence
proud of and work hard to maintain. in all critical areas, that we monitor
The BRC Global Quality Standards and continually improve our product
specify the requirements to be met quality, safety and legality and have
by an organisation to enable the taken every possible precaution to
production, packaging, storage prevent problems should there ever be
and distribution of safe food and a challenge made against one of our
consumer products. It is something products.
that is increasingly recognised as
a requirement of manufacturers by
many of the world’s leading retailers.

Safe Days

Health & Safety is our number
one priority here at SPL, not just
for our employees but also our
visitors, customers and our products
throughout the supply chain. This
forms part of our business culture
and as a responsible employer is
something that we actively encourage
through monitoring and publically
displaying the key safety measures as
shown in the image opposite.

We have a team dedicated to continual a key responsibility for everyone here Number of Safe Days and Accident
improvement of these measures and at SPL and something that we strive to Pyramids; Year to Date and the month
offer health and safety training and improve upon daily.
an improvement suggestion scheme, of September.
for all employees. No matter what
business function, health and safety is

Introducing
our new GM

Pauline Ferrol has joined SPL in a and their needs. In the short time I’ve
new role as our General Manager, been here, I’m already spotting new
bringing with her a wealth of opportunities and improvements that
experience from senior management we can make and am optimistic about
roles across the food & drink FMCG what lies ahead.
industries; including Coca-Cola, “My focus here will be looking at
Archer Daniels Midland & Bakels. how we can improve on the excellent
Pauline’s strategic, organisational work that SPL are already doing.
and people management skills will Ensuring that quality is at the forefront
support the management team and of everything we do, deepening our
wider staff as we aim to improve our relationships with customers and our
business, service and offerings to our understanding of their businesses and
customers. how we can positively contribute to
Commenting on her new appointment them; all with a view to continue Phil’s
as General Manager, Pauline said: legacy of ‘serving you better’.”
“I’m very excited about my new role
at SPL and I’m enjoying learning
about the industry, our customers

Green Team

Back in February, SPL made the
decision to actively try to improve
and become more environmentally
friendly as a business. We believe
it’s important to be environmentally
conscious and to be aware of the
impact we have on the environment as
a growing organisation.

The ‘Green Team’ was born as part
of this decision, utilising a group
of volunteers from various SPL
departments who meet regularly to
discuss and implement a number of
green initiatives.

Over the last 6 months the Green
Team have focused on recycling and
reducing waste.

To increase the amount of recycling, initiatives, the team really has got SPL employees to continue their ‘green’
the Green Team have introduced on the right path towards being as efforts at home.
the means to recycle old printer ‘green’ as possible.
cartridges, general office waste and
batteries - both used in the business The Green Team is now headed up by
and brought in from home. our new General Manager, Pauline
To aid waste reduction, SPL has also who has been keen to get more ideas
installed hand dryers, waterless implemented over the next 6 months
urinals and reusable kitchen towels. and beyond. The team has also taken
By implementing all of these an extra step in encouraging SPL

New SPL Brand
Products

Here at SPL, for our homebrew The brand will contain both Beer
customers, our approach has always & Cider homebrew kits, with a
been to focus on new product range of over 100 flavour forward
development and manufacturing and varieties available. The kits have been
to let you do the branding, packaging developed in association with award
designs and marketing around the winning brewer James Kemp, and
products we’ve developed with you for utilise premium quality raw materials
your markets. sourced from the world’s finest
However increasingly we are receiving producing regions, packed on SPL’s
customer enquiries for whom this custom built pouch packaging facility,
model isn’t preferred, some can be with the end result being fantastic
put off by minimum order quantities quality beers and ciders.
and lead times associated with new
projects and packaging materials,
some simply don’t have the resource
available to create and manage their
own brands or would prefer something
established to test a new product
range in their market.

With this in mind, to increase our Port 66 Cider Pouch Kit
flexibility and in a bid to serve our
customers’ needs better, we are
introducing two new brands to the
market as detailed below. SPL will
hold stock of both brands meaning
smaller order quantities and lead
times are available.

Port 66: As standard the kits come with Multi- Beer Kit Key Selling Points
The name is born from elements Language Instructions and there is the
of SPL’s address; Ellesmere ‘Port’ ability to customise product labels to
CH’66’ 1ST, whilst also referencing the your native language. Smaller batch
American craft beer influence with the sizes are also coming soon, for further
66 used in the logo drawing inspiration information please visit
from a road stencil from the famous www.port66.co.uk or speak to a
route 66. member of our sales team.

Port 66 Pouch Kits and Premium Beer Box Kit

New SPL Brand
Products

Pathfinder:

The brand name defined means: These same products are now being Further information please visit
pathfinder; noun “a person who goes made available in the Pathfinder www.spl-int.com/pathfinder or speak
ahead and discovers or shows others brand for home users too, covering to a member of our sales team.
a path or way”. We’ve been developing, a range of turbo yeasts and ancillary
manufacturing and supplying products. Available in a variety of
innovative yeast and fermentation packaging sizes to suit everyone from
products for over 20 years and felt the home brewers to small & large scale
name was befitting both to ourselves brewers and distillers; Pathfinder
and our customers approach to is the brand that can stay with your
brewing and distilling. customers, no matter how grand,
The brand is built around the 3 core or small their alcohol production
values being; cutting edge innovation, aspirations, delivering quality and
finest quality ingredients and world reliability every time.
class manufacturing.
These are the commitments we make
to all of our products and those which
have seen them used by some of the
world’s leading commercial brewers
and distillers.

All products come delivered in shelf ready packaging.
How the range will look on a retail display unit.

New Manufacturing
Capabilities

PACKING CRUSHED & WHOLE GRAINS 3. Our production team work 7. All packs are then weight checked
One of SPL’s more recent new closely with our grain suppliers and before being packed and prepared for
processes is packing crushed or whole customers to co-ordinate the packing dispatch.
grains for our homebrew customers. of these within 24 hours of their arrival The above process gives our
These are used as part of a part mash on site and dispatch up to a maximum customers piece of mind that their
or small batch all grain beer kit, of 72 hours later. products will reach their customers in
offering brewers a more authentic 4. Depending on product recipe there optimum condition. The process allows
brewing process using the same may be several grain varieties going us to give 12 months life on crushed
grains as commercial brewers. Please into the pack; if multiple varieties are grain packs when stored in a cool, dry
see below for details of our grain required they are thoroughly mixed place. For any orders that pass across
packing process: through a 15 minute cycle on one of the equator we recommend shipping
1. Fresh grains are ordered from our ribbon blenders. This process has in a temperature controlled container.
one of our BRC approved maltsters, been specifically designed to minimise All of our manufacturing processes
who crush the grains fresh for each exposure of the product to oxygen. were recently rated to AA standard
SPL production – post milling they 5. After mixing the grains, they are against the BRC version 7.
are delivered to SPL within 48hrs in immediately taken and gravity fed from
oxygen resistant plastic lined sacks. a hopper into one of our sacheting
2. Once on site they remain in sealed machines which offers pack sizes from
packaging and are stored in clean, cool 250g to 1kg.
(< 22°C) and dry (< 35 RH %) conditions 6. Once the pack is filled, it is nitrogen
to ensure the raw materials remain in flushed before sealing to remove any
optimum condition. oxygen from inside the pack which
would damage the grain.

Hot Topics -
Brexit

It would be easy for us to be gloomy
about Brexit; growth forecasts for the
UK have been cut from 2.3% to 1.9%,
consumer confidence has dipped and
the pound has tumbled to its lowest
value in 30 years.

However as the dust begins to settle
on the immediate aftermath of the
UK exiting the EU, SPL are closely
monitoring the position and our
strategies to ensure we’re best place
to take on any challenges presented by
Brexit.

As a manufacturing company that - We have a global supplier network continue to arrive to you on time and in
exports over 70% of what we produce with a minimum of two approved perfect condition.
throughout the EU and the rest of suppliers for each ‘critical’ raw While Brexit may prove challenging for
the world, it’s imperative that we’re material. This not only gives us many organisations, at SPL we’re firm
prepared for any changes in export flexibility when purchasing, but also believers that a clear and powerful
rules and legislation. However at avoids any potential disruption if one proposition can guide businesses
this moment, and until article 50 supplier’s pricing or supply of raw towards success. We believe in a time
is activated and the negotiations materials was dramatically effected of confusion over regulation, working
begin, it’s impossible to have a clear post Brexit, ensuring continuity of mobility and the future of Britain’s
understanding of what the changes supply to you and your customers. business relationship with Europe;
will be and how they might affect our - Our network of longstanding, trusted those with a simple, compelling
business and industries over the next suppliers are regularly reviewed message will thrive. That’s why our
5, 10 & 20 years. by our experienced purchasing and ethos has, and will always be, about
Though as we understand that quality assurance teams for risk ‘serving you better’, a strong customer
uncertainty leads to malaise as you factors. As we operate to the BRC focus has always been built around
our customers seek clarity on labour, version 7 quality standard, an integral partnership with our customers and
material costs, import and export part of this involves regular reviews working together on quality products
prices and planning regulation, before and audits taking place to ensure and projects. This will never change
moving forward with projects we supplier standards and business and is our pledge when ‘serving you
wanted to reassure you that whatever credentials are healthy, and that any better’ now, and in the future.
the outcomes, SPL are best placed to potential risks are spotted early. This
deal with them. Here are just some is a key factor in ensuring quality and
of the things that come as standard reliability in our product supply.
when working with SPL that minimise
risk within our businesses and ensure - We have longstanding relationships
that we’re best placed to deal with any (20+ years) with our logistics and
future changes: distribution partners, including
- Our combined workforce contains local and international chambers of
over 360 years’ experience working commerce, HMRC & the International
within the homebrew and alcohol Trade and Investment association.
industries. Having been in the We work in partnership with these
business of manufacturing, importing organisations to ensure our knowledge
& exporting goods from the EU and and understanding on all rules,
rest of the world since 1992, we are legislation and documentation
confident that we have the knowledge, requirements is accurate and up to
experience and relevant business date. Meaning that your products will
contacts to successfully negotiate
whatever myriad of legal frameworks
with EU nations the Brexit presents.

7

Alcohol
Industry Focus

HARD SODA & THE WIDER ‘NEAR new products in this area have been Looking at how the large industry
BEER’ MARKET malt-based, focused on traditional players are investing in this market,
and nostalgic flavours such as Cola, it’s clear that this isn’t a flash in the
One of the key alcohol industry trends Root Beer, Ginger Ale, Lemonade and pan or something that will only see
of the past 12 months has been the Orange & Cream. These are flavours short lived success.
flood of new products entering the that most of us are familiar with and Strong consumer demand has already
‘near beer’ ready-to-drink market. will have enjoyed as kids, now given a made the category a veritable force,
Whilst both Beer & Soft Drinks new lease of life with an added alcohol New York-based Beverage Marketing
consumption has been in decline kick. Corp. expects the hard-soda market
respectively for several years, several The opportunities for manufacturers could grow nearly 175% to about 16
major alcoholic drinks manufacturers looking at this market don’t stop here, million cases this year, vs. 6 million
have focused their new product more recent developments we have cases in 2015. For manufacturers the
development on combining the two, seen in this area have looked beyond challenge is to create a product range
producing ‘Hard Sodas’ that are the ‘sweet & nostalgic’ and toward that contains enough options to build
proving a huge hit with consumers. more exotic flavour combinations customer longevity and to become an
similar to those that have proved ingrained choice, rather than a one off,
Marketed as alternatives to beer, wine, popular in the craft beer industry; novelty ‘to try’ purchase.
cider and spirits these products have including tea infusions, honey, various At SPL we have been developing
a huge potential market making them spice and unusual fruit combinations. several product lines, for both the
very appealing to manufacturers. For Furthermore, innovation has been homebrew and commercial alcoholic
example one of the category leaders seen to extend from sodas into the drinks markets, to cater to this
is ‘Not Your Father’s Root Beer’ which broader ‘near beer’ category which growing market. If you’d like to discuss
accounted for an estimated $75 million includes spirit infused variations; the opportunities and learn more
USD at retail in 2015 and with a recent as well as Bud Light’s MixxTail and about the products we could provide,
research report citing that “eight in Lime-a-Rita Splash cocktail RTDs, then please get in touch.
10 (79%) alcohol drinkers are open to fruit infused shandies/radlers, and
trying new types of alcohol”, it’s clear “healthy alternative” products such
that increased variety and new product as Wachusett Brewing Co’s recently
development is coming. introduced Nauti Seltzer.

As you can see from the examples
shown in the image below, most of the

Team Building
Day

Recently, the entire team at SPL After the presentation, we split
attended our annual presentation at into 9 teams to compete in 3 team-
Delamere Manor in the North West of building activities – Archery, Catapult
England. Building and Clay Pigeon Shooting.
This presentation informs all staff The rain couldn’t dampen spirits as
about our business’s objectives, the competitive nature of SPL staff
opportunities, challenges and revealed some excellent scores.
direction going forward. We find this The day was enjoyed by all and by
helps ensure everybody working at bringing everyone together, it helps us
SPL is on the same page and is clear to work towards our common goal of
what our goals are for the coming ‘Serving You Better’.
months.

Phil’s Garden

It’s been 12 months since SPL staff, in the ‘outside office’ gazebo is now building the garden, then please scan
friends and family completed the work used as our most popular meeting the QR code below or view the video
to create a remembrance garden in room! A team of green fingered SPL on our YouTube channel www.youtube.
honour of SPL International’s founder volunteers have been having weekly com/user/splinternational.
Philip Jones. gardening sessions to keep the space
The British summer months have been looking fantastic and ensuring it
kind and provided plentiful opportunity maintains a befitting tribute to Phil.
for SPL’s staff to get outside and spend If you’d like to see a short video of
time enjoying the garden, the seating the work we completed when initially

Thank You!

Thanks, firstly for your continued +44 (0)151 356 5985 SPL International
business and support, and secondly [email protected] Philip Jones House
for taking the time to read the first www.linkedin.com/company/spl Poole Hall Industrial Estate
issue of our newsletter.
We hope your found it interesting and Ellesmere Port
will enjoy the future additions, if there CH66 1ST
has been anything raised here that you
would like to discuss in further detail
then please don’t hesitate to get in
touch!