With 32 attendees – which included 19 from operating companies – this was a record Operator turnout at any AVA Regional Meeting – ever!
Those who attended had the opportunity to find out more about the AG Barr Brands of Rubicon, Strathmore Water and, of course IRN BRU. We also got to see how IRN BRU is made – of its 32 secret ingredients – including girders. From a fascinating museum, showing the development of the Barrs Company, to a noisy, but informative factory tour. Our thanks go to AG Barr for hosting the meeting and especially to Ross Hannah who organised everything.
There then followed a lively session with a presentation from John MacDonald (Excel Vending) with his informed view of the Zero Waste Scotland progress toward a Deposit Recycling Scheme for Scotland. With input and discussion from all – especially some salient and valuable comments from Paul Ure (Options Management) with his 15 years of experience in this arena.
The meeting closed after some insight from Muneeb Gill of BTO Solicitors into the impending GDPR regulations in May.
Melissa Campbell from Monster Energy said: “David kindly invited me to be his guest at the AVA Scottish meeting, giving that I work with the majority of the Scottish AVA members so far, it was an ideal opportunity for me to understand more about regional challenges the members were currently facing. I found it really insightful and useful. In particular I enjoyed the debate around the deposit return scheme, and member’s ideas/best practice, on how was the best way to address this”
Mark Braid from Myrtle Coffee Services Limited said: “It was really good to see so many Scottish Operators at yesterday’s meeting, I think it demonstrates our commitment to the industry and to the AVA, the new meeting format was enjoyable, I look forward to seeing what the new invigorated AVA can do for the members, it seems to be off to a good start.”