Trenstar insists it is "business as usual

Trenstar UK, the trade's biggest beer keg and cask handler, is in talks with its two major customers Carlsberg and Scottish & Newcastle after announcing a re-structuring of its business.

The company says it is "business as normal" despite the decision of another major customer Coors to take back supply operations in-house.

Coors was forced to buy back its containers after a specialist supply arm of Trenstar, Brewers Logistics Management which used to deliver its products, went into administration.

Trenstar says the loss of the Coors' business has had a big impact on its trading but the company also blames increasing theft and losses of kegs throughout the industry due to the rising value of scrap metal.

Scottish & Newcastle and Carlsberg are supplied by a different section of the Trenstar set-up.

S&N said it was discussing a range of issues with Trenstar but stressed it planned to work with the company for the foreseeable future.

Carlsberg is also said to be reviewing its position.