Despite the challenges facing the leisure sector and difficult economic conditions, Young’s has continued to thrive, with revenue and sales up on previous years. Part of its success can be attributed to the way in which it continues to scrutinise not just the efficiency and sustainability of its own operations, but the ways in which it can work smarter with its supply chain.
World-leading industrial gas manufacturer, Air Products, has been working with Young’s for over 20 years, supplying food grade carbon dioxide, mixed gases, and dispense gas equipment. The supply of these gases and equipment, which are used to carbonate fizzy drinks and dispense a range of beers and beverages, is key to Young’s successful operations. Without regular and reliable gas supply, Young’s simply cannot operate.
Supporting safe operations
Traditionally, pub and hotel groups requiring gases such as carbon dioxide for their operations, tend to store gas cylinders within their premises. This presents challenges both in terms of safety and productivity as Bill Epsley, Commercial Manager at Young’s, explains:
“The best possible place for our teams is front of house, looking after our customers. The reality, however, is that if a gas cylinder needs connecting, or disconnecting and changing, so we can – for example – continue to carbonate our drinks, then we rely on our staff for that. Not only does this take them away from front of house duties, it also comes with all the health and safety risks associated with the manual handling of heavy equipment.”
In the spirit of collaboration and in seeking opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency at all levels of its business, Young’s has worked together with Air Products to tackle this challenge head on.
The majority of Young’s estate benefits from an Air Products’ CarboStore™ CO2 supply system comprising a liquid gas tank, and remote fill point to an external wall, as well as on site nitrogen generator. This means that gas can be delivered at any time, without interruption to service and without the need to manually handle, transport and store high pressure gas cylinders.
There have been immediate safety wins from this approach – something that both Young’s and Air Products take very seriously as Jim Alexander, Leisure Business Manager from Air Products explains:
“Businesses in the leisure sector – and further afield – have to comply with stringent Manual Handling Operations Regulations, and are required to avoid, assess and reduce any associated risk of injury. Given that an average gas cylinder can range in weight from 20.35kg to 104kg, and the pressurised nature of the gas, any opportunity to reduce the need for staff to move or handle cylinders is worth exploring.”
For added peace of mind, Air Products has also installed CO2 monitors across the Young’s estate – something that is not yet legally required in the UK but advised and recommended by the British Compressed Gases Association.
Driving greater efficiency and sustainability at every level
But while safety is a central consideration, this new solution delivers on other important fronts too.
In a challenging economic climate, efficiency of operations is key, and leisure businesses are increasingly leaning on their supply chains for support. For Young’s and Air Products this has been an area of focus, and the CO2 tank is fitted with an advanced telemetry system. This introduces a new ‘fit and forget’ aspect to the pub’s gas supply, with gas delivered and the tank refilled on a ‘just in time’ basis. Automated and autonomous gas replenishment means there is no interruption to Young’s service, ensuring staff can remain behind the bar, increasing sales and profit. Bill explains:
“This fit and forget approach is unique to Air Products and really beneficial for our business – it removes the headache of co-ordinating deliveries, and it ensures we always have a steady and consistent supply of the gas we need to operate.”
“As well as being efficient, the telemetry on the tanks also supports Young’s sustainability efforts – something that is very important to our business and future strategy. It allows us – and Air Products, remotely - to know exactly when the tank needs refilling. This avoids unnecessary deliveries, in turn reducing our carbon footprint.”
It's this holistic approach that is key as Jim Alexander, Air Products explains, “For a business of the scale of Young & Co, it would be easy to assume that the mode of gas supply and the way it is managed is pretty inconsequential to their overall operations. In fact, the opposite is true – every detail matters.
“By working together with us to explore and introduce this fit and forget system, they have been able to avoid time-consuming change overs, and all but eliminate the time and administration required to manage gas orders. It also facilitates real safety and sustainability benefits – something that is central to Young’s ethos and approach.”
A bright future
The last four years have been challenging for all leisure businesses. Covid-19 lockdowns have been followed by surging inflation, a cost-of-living crisis and growing labour shortages and costs. But for Young’s, the future looks bright and it’s at least in part due to the way it is collaborating with its supply chain to find new ways to work smarter, more safely and more sustainably.
For both organisations, this is much more than a demand-supply relationship, but rather a long-term partnership in which they are heavily invested, and the knowledge and expertise of the supply chain partner is put to good use. Bill Epsley says “We’ve found this spirit of collaboration with Air Products really refreshing. Our point of contact is easy to work with and proactive in making suggestions.
“It takes a lot to successfully run a pub and hotel group – but there can be no doubt that the supply chain is integral. Air Products’ gas products and equipment are critical to our operations, and we will continue to work together with them to improve and enhance the way we operate.”
To find out more about Young’s, and its commitment to staff wellbeing, sustainability and safety, visit www.youngs.co.uk
First published in The Brewers Journal, March 2025
