Support to improve export readiness
The export success follows on from a project run by the Brewing Science department of The University of Nottingham last year. The University combined with the Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) on a project to help microbrewers in the region undertake work to develop beers that were suitable for export.
The brewing science team from the University worked with microbrewers to increase their quality control processes, leading to greater consistency by measuring qualities such as alcohol by volume, CO2, microbial stability and shelf life.
After the development phase, the next stage of the process was to look to export the beers to China, and Clements Marketing won a Food and Drink iNet, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funded project to gain a better understanding of the Chinese market, which also included support from the University’s Asia Business Centre and UKTI.
China is the world's largest beer market
Alan Clements, Managing Director of Clements Marketing, said: “Due to the gradual decline of pubs across the UK and the domination of big brewers in the country, export markets are becoming increasingly attractive to craft brewers, and China is the world’s largest beer market claiming one in every four pints of beer sold globally.”
In depth research into beers was conducted at The University of Nottingham’s Ningbo campus, China, to establish the status of the market. Led by the Business School there, the research team, which consisted of Nottingham University students, examined the market conditions, demand, demographics, the current suppliers and competition and also importantly, the preferred tastes of Chinese consumers.
The conclusion from the research was that there is a significant niche market for British Craft Beer in China. This led to a second trip being organised, where samples from six of the original East Midlands craft brewers including Thornbridge, Castle Rock, Peak Ales and others were distributed to various importers, shops, bars and restaurants in Shanghai, Ningbo and Chengdu, with very positive results.
A clear opportunity for niche beers
As a result of the positive response from the market research, Alan, together with food and drink specialist Richard Worrall, formed a new company, British Craft Beers, to focus on exporting beers to the country.
Commenting on the market potential, Richard Worrall said: “Although British craft beers are currently not very well known, with very few of these beers being sold in China at the moment, there is a clear opportunity in this market for sweeter beers, mild and dark stouts and porters. In addition, the Chinese show a clear liking for some of the fruit flavoured beers.”
Reaping the benefits of University expertise
British Craft Beers, with its sister company, Clements Marketing Ltd, operates from a base at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park (UNIP). Alan believes that being based at The University of Nottingham enables his businesses to benefit from the University’s expertise and international contacts.
“Moving to UNIP has enabled a whole reincarnation of the company and has allowed me to look for and take on new projects in an increasingly global world,” said Alan.
Alan added: “We are reaping the benefits of the pool of expertise located on site, as well as at the Ningbo campus in China. There is obviously the great research expertise we can access from the brewing sciences team, but in addition, we have also employed nine students who have helped us in a variety of areas ranging from market research to translation.
“We also hold regular video conferencing calls with Chinese students in Ningbo, and the University’s Asia Business Centre, together with UKTI, has also helped us to gain a better understanding of regulatory and export issues and the Chinese culture.”
Adding value and practical support
Mike Carr, Director of Business Engagement and Innovation Services at the University, commented: “This project is a fantastic example of how The University of Nottingham, in conjunction with our private sector partner, British Craft Beers, has been able to add real value and provide practical support to microbreweries, right the way through from initial product development to market research, export support and sales.
"I would encourage any business which feels that it could benefit from accessing University expertise to contact us to see how we can potentially work together.”
British Craft Beers is now looking to develop new partnerships with more local craft brewers who are interested in selling their beers to China. Any East Midlands brewers who are interested should contact British Craft Beers on 0115 823 2772 or email: alan.clements@britishcraftbeers.com
For more information about The University of Nottingham’s services for business, visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/servicesforbusiness
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For more information about this press release, contact Nick King, Marketing Projects Manager, Business Engagement and Innovation Services, University of Nottingham. Tel: 0115 82 32184, or email nicholas.king@nottingham.ac.uk or Anneke Love, Business Events Administrator on 0115 748 4555 or email anneke.love@nottingham.ac.uk
Photo shows: Left to right, British Craft Beer directors, Alan Clements and Richard Worrall.
Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 42,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also one of the most popular universities among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The University aims to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health. The University won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its research into global food security.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future.
About the European Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme, which runs from 2007-13, is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development.
The ERDF objectives for England are:
• Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
• Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
• Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
• Building sustainable communities
• Improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only – as part of their Convergence Programme).
The programme is delivered and overseen by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erd