BBPA Technical Circular 418 (Keg and Cask Supply Chain Best Practice) was introduced on 9 July 2007.  BBPA Council and members approved this document and agreed to implement the best practice measures within their businesses.  Section 3.4.8 of TC418 requires the “possessor” to post sorted containers on Spa Trak and requires the container owner to arrange uplift within 28 days (this will reduce to 21 days).  If containers are not uplifted within this period, the “possessor” can arrange for Keg Watch to collect these containers and repatriate them to the owner at the owner’s expense.  To date, Keg Watch has been providing a ‘honeymoon’ period by contacting the owners prior to uplift in an effort to give them the opportunity to uplift their own containers and thus save themselves the Keg Watch charge. 

At the RAMP (Returnable Assets Management Panel) meeting on 2 September 2009 it was agreed that as of 1 October 2009 Keg Watch would no longer make prior contact; instead Keg Watch will arrange the uplift once the request has been received from the “possessor”. 

To ensure you do not incur any unnecessary costs please ensure that you access the Spa Trak system on a regular basis and take prompt action to recover any listed containers.  Container owners should ensure that they read and familiarise themselves with Technical Circular 418 which is available on the BBPA website, SIBA website or by contacting Keg Watch on 0808 100 1945.

From SIBA News 09 09 09….

Keg Watch collections

Don’t forget, as reported in SIBA News earlier this year, Keg Watch will cease to contact owning brewers who’s casks have been left on Spa-Trak for over 28 days before collecting them upon the holding yards request.  This will happen at the end of September.  It is your responsibility to check Spa Trak at regular intervals.