Thermal protection specialists at Seymour Manufacturing International are working with Britain’s oldest brewer to help keep its award-winning product range in perfect condition.

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years, and has more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.

Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant, Shepherd Neame’s diverse portfolio includes Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha.

The company has turned to Telford-based SMI to provide thermal protection products including Cold-Stop curtains and thermal panels which ensure its brands are maintained at optimum temperature.

Ross Clarke, SMI business development manager, said: “We initially supplied two trial sets of curtains to the company’s Bishops Finger pub in Canterbury and Jamaica Wine House in London last year.

“Since then, we have been rolling out further installations in several of its other pubs, as well as its historic brewery and visitor centre.

“By the end of this summer, we will have supplied Cold-Stop curtains and Tempro thermal panels to 43 different locations.”

Tempro is SMI’s award-winning, lightweight thermal insulation material which has been scientifically proven to cut energy loss by at least 25% in chillers, and an amazing 33% in freezers.

It remains unchallenged as the world’s thinnest and most thermally efficient material of its kind.

Ian Barsby, head of technical and quality services at Shepherd Neame, said: “We have been incredibly pleased with SMI’s team and products, and hope to install thermal curtains in all remaining managed pubs and hotels by June 2025.

“We have installed thermal curtains in cellars at more than 40 of our sites, and in walk-in fridges and freezers at 15 of our sites. These are placed on all exits to ensure the space remains at the optimum temperature.

“As a business, we are committed to doing the right thing for our communities, our people and our environment.

“We continue to invest in state-of-the-art technologies to provide energy and emissions savings around our business, including working with the team at SMI to improve insulation in our pubs.”