FDBusiness.com

Independent Scotch spirits business William Grant & Sons has increased turnover by 5.2% to £1.12 billion for 2013 with group operating profit advancing 10.6% to £138.0 million. Turnover on the company’s core brands increased by 12.5% year on year.

Despite some challenging global economic conditions the company continued to strengthen its business by investing behind its brands and global infrastructure for the long term.Of particular note has been the phenomenal success of Hendrick’s gin which has been built on word of mouth, bar tender endorsement and careful nurturing of the brand. Hendrick’s continually seeks out new ways to surprise and delight its consumers; for example in 2013 Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, created Quinetum, a new quinine cordial which is being highly sought after by bartenders wanting to add theatre in their cocktailing making. Another part of the secret to success is obsessive attention to detail in delivering the perfect serve. Hendrick’s has invested in a state-of-the-art greenhouse to conduct research into the growth of an exotic variety of cucumbers; a slice of cucumber being an ideal companion to the perfect Hendrick’s and tonic.

In addition, Glenfiddich continued to maintain its position as the world’s number one and most awarded single malt Scotch whisky and The Balvenie single malt Scotch whisky continues to grow rapidly all around the world.

A focus for William Grant & Sons has also been on its innovation brands and it released two landmark whiskies in 2013. The Girvan Patent Still single grain Scotch and The Kininvie single malt Scotch. The Kininvie distillery was opened in 1990 but only 23 years later has The Kininvie brand been launched, demonstrating the long term perspective that a family owned company can take.

The company also continued to invest its other innovation brands such as Monkey Shoulder triple malt Scotch, Reyka vodka,Solerno Blood Orange liqueurand premium tequila brand Milagro.

Stella David, chief executive of William Grant & Sons, comments: “Whilst 2013 saw some challenging global economic conditions, the company continued to perform well thanks to our consistent focus on brand building and investing for the long-term. In short we want to inspire our consumers with our great liquids and the great stories our brands have to tell.”

CAPTION:

Stella David, chief executive of William Grant & Sons, photographed in the curious world of Hendrick’s gin.