A photo of the robots is available to download here – https://we.tl/8Iu65NDpLJ
Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC, the London brewer and premium pub company, has unveiled two new robots in its cask racking line at its brewery in Chiswick.
The robots have been named after two former Fuller’s team members, Brendan Bray and Richard Keith. The Brendan robot stacks and de-stacks casks, while the Richard robot removes and replaces locator boards – the robots will have to work in unison, much like the real Brendan and Richard did for decades.
Brendan Bray, joined Fuller’s in April 1966 and left in August 2014, in this time he worked his way up from Copper Boy to Brewing Team Leader. Richard Keith joined in August 1982. He joined as a Mechanical Engineer and managed the day to day running of the engineering team. Richard retired in March 2016.
The robots were supplied by Kuka and were commissioned by SCM Handling.
Simon Dodd, Managing Director of Fuller’s Beer Company: “These robots show our continued long term commitment to producing fantastic and delicious cask beer.
“It is a great tribute to name them both after former colleagues. Brendan and Richard are very much part of the Fuller’s family and they knew every nuance of how the Brewery operated. These robots now stand proudly next to Les, our original robot in the keg racking line, named after our Chief Engineer, Les Birchmore, who retired last year.
“All three robots are now visible from the visitor tour route, so I urge you all to book a tour and watch these new robots in action.”
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For further information, please contact the press office:
Georgina Wald 020 8996 2198 georgina.wald@fullers.co.uk
Joanne Steward 020 8996 2135 joanne.steward@fullers.co.uk
Alice Monteath 020 8996 2175 alice.monteath@fullers.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Fuller, Smith and Turner P.L.C. is an independent traditional family brewer founded in 1845 and is based at the historic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, where brewing has taken place continuously since 1654. The Company runs 190 Tenanted pubs and 198 Managed Pubs and Hotels, with a focus on delicious fresh, home-cooked food, outstanding cask and craft ale, great wine and exceptional service. The Company also has 706 boutique bedrooms in its Managed estate. The Fuller’s pub estate stretches from Brighton to Birmingham and from Bristol to the Greenwich Peninsula, including 174 locations within the M25. Fuller’s owns a 76% stake in The Stable, a craft cider and gourmet pizza restaurant business, which has 17 sites in England and Wales.
The Fuller’s Beer Company brews a portfolio of premium beers including London Pride, Oliver’s Island, ESB, Organic Honey Dew and Frontier Craft Lager. The Company owns Cornish Orchards, a craft cider maker producing a range of award-winning ciders and premium soft drinks. Fuller’s is also the UK distributor for Sierra Nevada, the premier US craft beer. In December 2015, Fuller’s acquired a 51% stake in Nectar Imports, a wholesale drinks business.
Alice Monteath
PR Assistant