Written by the UK distributors of Forecast 5, Kipps Business Reporting.
Jester, Olicana, Goldings, Fuggles
“When I started out in September 1976, our head brewer, Jim Bennett gave me two maxims: ‘Make sure that as you walk from the brewery garage to the Brewhouse everyday you stop and talk to the employees, they are the people who will make you a winner, and always remember you are only as good as your last beer brewed. Never ever give up.’”
And the best part? “Is to be able to do what I love best, brewing great Welsh beer with the knowledge that the business is running to a strict financial plan, and budget. I can now relax, and every pint I taste is one more than perhaps might have been the case. For that I am eternally grateful.”
Back in the days when multinational companies were buying up smaller ones with cheap money, the Buckleys’ lost their old family brewery. “I admit we might have taken our eye off the ball.” Not for long, however: by 2004 Simon was brewing again under the Evans-Evans banner. “It’s a very different industry these days with a greater emphasis on flavour rather than quantity. We produce over 43 different beers per annum with our seasonal beers celebrating the change in season, and special sporting events.”
Forecast 5 uses three main stock record types, and all entries via these records initially land up on the balance sheet. Cost components are assembled in a Stock on Hand record – as many as you wish – to build up the budgeted value. These could be raw materials, overheads, wages or whatever other components are involved (including time charges if required). The records differentiate by unit numbers and value, leading to total stock cost and average cost per unit. Sales are linked by units to the Stock on Hand record with appropriate transfers of cost of sales to the profit and loss account.
Simon is so grateful that he has launched a special larger to raise funds for the NHS and NHS charities. Heart of Gold is brewed to produce a crisp refreshing taste, ideal for the summer months and lockdown.
And the best part? “Is to be able to do what I love best, brewing great Welsh beer with the knowledge that the business is running to a strict financial plan, and budget. I can now relax, and every pint I taste is one more than perhaps might have been the case. For that I am eternally grateful.”
