A BREWERY could be close to clinching major new contracts – and it could mean more jobs are in the pipeline.
Four inquiries have been received by Camerons from companies interested in placing orders for contract brewing work.
Bosses said some of the inquiries could create new jobs as extra shifts would be needed to meet demand.
The news comes four months after the Mail first revealed that Camerons was about to install eight massive brewing vessels. They are expected to be in place by mid-November.
The new vessels are part of a Camerons expansion programme. They will hold beer and lager, and will each be capable of storing 350,000 pints.
They help to more than double the brewery's capacity from 375,000 barrels to 800,000 barrels.
The new 33ft high vessels are needed as Camerons has clinched contracts to supply products such as Kronenbourg 1664, Fosters lager, John Smiths beer, Cobra beer, and Kestrel Super Strength lager.
But now comes news of four more potential contracts.
The news was revealed on the day that 48 workers were awarded for completing a training course.
Commercial director Billy McKee told some of the men – as he presented them with certificates – that Camerons was now getting other inquiries.
He added: "We have had four different inquiries for decent volumes. I would be quite confident that one of those inquiries would come off."
Marketing manager Yousef Doubooni said the potential extra orders would mean additional shifts which would mean more labour.
Bosses cannot be specific about job numbers. The plan to install the eight new vessels is only one stage of the Camerons expansion plan. It also plans to expand the number of pubs it owns from 68 now to 150.
The whole expansion programme also includes an employee development scheme.
Bosses said that to be a leading UK contract brewer, its workforce needs to be trained in modern manufacturing and processing techniques.
Camerons chose qgs synergy to carry out an NVQ programme on business improvement techniques, also called lean manufacturing.
Workers are shown how to cut waste levels and improve the way they work.
The first phase of the programme saw 48 workers – including management, operators and laboratory personnel – passing their NVQ level 2 with another 25 employees in phase 2 about to start.