Interim profits fall at pub flow-monitoring specialist Brulines

Brulines Group has seen its pre-tax profit fall by 12.5% from £2.2m to £1.9m for the six months to 25 September, despite an 11.3% increase on turnover to £9.9m.

The firm, which provides flow-monitoring services to most of the major pub companies as well as to petrol station forecourts, said the figures were in line with its expectations, particularly against the backdrop of a recession in the leisure sector.

James Dickson, chief executive of the company told Caterer that he was happy with the progress of its new beer quality monitoring system, i-draught, which it is currently rolling out through Greene King. It is also being evaluated commercially by some hotel chains, although Dickson declined to reveal which.

"Greene King came out with a good set of results today and for a company like that to have made the decision to roll out i-draught in their estate is a great endorsement for us which we hope will have a knock-on effect with other operators," Dickson said.

However he declined to comment on the GMB union's proposals to switch off the Brulines system in pubs around the country as part of possible industrial action by pub tenants protesting against the major pubcos' beer-tie business model.

"That is a matter between the pub tenants and the pub companies," he said.

See the GMB report questioning the accuracy of the Brulines system >>

GMB to ballot publicans over beer-tie action >>

Leasehold pub market has been ‘decimated’ in past year, says Fleurets >>

Pub report triggers fury and libel claims >>


By Neil Gerrard

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