Konvoy declares keg pooling is not just a craft solution, as it announces it has signed a deal with Lion.

Lion has partnered with Konvoy to fulfil extra demand across its Tooheys New and Hahn Super Dry brands, CEO and Managing Director Adam Trippe-Smith told Brews News.

“I wouldn’t have predicted this three years ago during COVID, but Lion approached us saying they needed more kegs so we developed a solution for them,” he said.

“As we’ve been saying since day one with this business, keg pooling has benefits for everyone. It’s not a craft beer solution.

“The economics and the environmental benefits of pooling apply to any keg use. The fact that we’re renting kegs to both Lion and Asahi is an endorsement of that.”

Konvoy is currently also supplying kegs to Asahi’s Balter Brewery.

“The difficulties in owning a keg fleet are not limited to craft producers. It’s a very capital-intensive function with high logistics costs, fleet complexity and the environmental impact of moving empty kegs, all being factors that make keg pooling the logical option.”

In addition to signing with Lion, Konvoy announced it has signed one of Australia’s largest craft brewers Young Henrys.

Trippe-Smith said the deal was a great endorsement of the model.

“Young Henrys been very thorough in their diligence, particularly around the tracking solution,” he said.

‘They really want to leverage that so after a long period of time working through it commercially with them, it’s a great endorsement for the service solution.

“It’s a win that bring great volumes to our business, adding products that are distributed nationally so all in all the great thing for the business to take it to the next level.”

Young Henrys follows the recent signing of New Zealand’s Good George to exclusively partner with Konvoy to further their long-term growth plans.

“I am super excited to welcome Young Henrys & Good George to Konvoy,” Trippe-Smith said.

“They are both cornerstone names in the ANZ beer industry, and we have valued their relationships over an extended period.

“Both businesses completed extensive diligence into our tracking solution and service offering prior to joining so I am delighted to see them put their trust in Konvoy.”

New appointments

The signings came as Konvoy announced two new senior appointments.

Former Lion strategy and corporate development executive, Wade Rushton-Clarke, has been appointed CEO, Australia & New Zealand tasked with accelerating growth of the ANZ business.

He joins Konvoy following his most recent role as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Single O coffee following 12 years at Lion in various commercial, strategy and mergers and acquisition roles.

Patrick Hanrahan has also been appointed to Chief Commercial Officer of the Konvoy Group to oversee the growth of the group in all markets. Patrick has been a member of the Konvoy leadership team since day one and will play an active role in guiding the future growth of the group alongside Adam Trippe-Smith.

These appointments follow Christian Barden’s appointment as CEO UK and Europe in September.