The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has today announced there are now 300 Supplier Associate companies supporting the brewing industry with SIBA membership.
Ranging from can-makers to hop merchants, design agencies to equipment manufacturers, the growing number of suppliers supporting and working in the brewing industry is a positive sign for the health of this growing sector.
Tony Jerome, SIBA Communications & Membership Director, said, “SIBA’s Supplier Associates support the brewing industry in a variety of ways and contribute special discounts and services to SIBA breweries, often offering free consultations or advice via our network of regional meetings and other events.
'The fact the number has now reached 300 is testament to the health of the brewing industry as a whole and I would like to thank all the companies who have joined SIBA for their continued support.”
Many of the very first companies to support brewers in the UK through Supplier Associate membership are still members of SIBA to this day, one such example is David Smith, who joined SIBA in 1988 as DA Smith Brewing Services - now known as Brewing Services & Consultancy. He has also served on the SIBA Council for over 14 years and was the first SIBA Technical Director.
Smith commented, “It's so brilliant that we have now reached such a large number of companies now providing help and assistance to so many breweries; how SIBA has changed in the last twenty eight years from the 80 breweries and a handful of Supplier Associates that were around back in 1988.
'I have always been a great supporter of SIBA as I believe the help given by members of SIBA and SIBA Council in the early days of establishing my business were key to it getting off the ground. We still provide consultancy services to new breweries starting up and promote SIBA membership to both breweries and other potential suppliers alike, and will continue to do so.”
With over 850 brewing members SIBA say there has never been a better time for supplier companies to get involved with the industry, no matter what the service is they provide.
Tony Jerome added, “This year’s BeerX had more Supplier Associate companies exhibiting as part of the trade show than ever before and since then we have seen a steady stream of new companies looking to connect with brewers from across the UK.
'It’s a reciprocal relationship – Supplier Associates get access to hundreds of SIBA brewery members and in return those members are offered advice, help and support that may not be available otherwise.
'We have also introduced internal communication systems to ensure the right messages are getting to the right people, making SIBA a huge networking opportunity for brewers and suppliers looking to engage with peers from across the industry.”