Member Article

Hartlepool’s Camerons Brewery invests in new bottling plant

Camerons Brewery has completed the installation of a bottling plant, creating six new jobs at the facility.

Receiving a seven-figure loan from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the bank’s asset finance partner Lombard, the Hartlepool-based brewery has used the investment to create a site capable of running off 10,000 bottles per hour.

John Foots, Finance Director at Camerons Brewery, said: “The rationale behind the investment is we will now be able to offer both our existing and new customers a one stop shop facility where we will have the ability to brew and now bottle their product, improving efficiencies all around. Up to now we have been able to brew and leave in cask form but had to outsource our bottling, but this will allow us to run the entire production process in one place.”

When the time came to obtain funding for the expansion, John turned to Graham Robinson, Relationship Director at Royal Bank of Scotland, for support. Camerons Brewery has been a customer of the bank for more than 10 years. Graham secured support working in partnership with the bank’s asset finance producer Lombard.

John continued: “Royal Bank of Scotland has been very supportive of us. They understand our business and are able to come up with a funding solution that enables us to move forward. They are flexible and approachable, and we have an excellent working relationship.”

Graham said: “We were delighted to support Camerons Brewery on its development of a new bottling facility. The business has been an important part of the local economy for over a century and we wish the business every success for the future.”

Tim Kenyon, Senior Relationship Director at Lombard, added: “The funding support of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lombard is a great example of providing a flexible solution to assist an important North East business in expanding its product offering. By working together we can offer customers like Camerons Brewery facilities to meet their individual needs and assist with their business growth ambitions.”

Camerons Brewery was founded in 1865 by John William Cameron and is the largest independent brewer in the North East with a brewing capacity of more than 1.25 million hectolitres and a portfolio of 70 public houses. The brewers’ product range includes Strongarm & Gold Bullion along with a selection of seasonal ales including Galactico, Shotgun Wedding, Press Gang, Long Leg, Thirst Blood, Tontine and Festive Frolics.

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