FDBusiness.com

Irish Distillers has been announced as the one of the most reputable Irish companies for 2013, according to the results of the annual Ireland RepTrack Study. The company, which was named the fourth most reputable indigenous company, was also voted the most reputable beverage company in the country.

The annual RepTrack study measures the reputations of 100 firms in Ireland based on more than 14,000 consumer ratings from members of the public. Companies are rated on how much they are admired, trusted and perceived in terms of quality, leadership and innovation.

Irish Distillers was acknowledged as the fourth most reputable indigenous company behind Kerry Group, Superquinn and An Post. The company is the maker of Jameson whiskey, which sold 4 million cases last year, and is produced in Midleton, County Cork.

Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility.

A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midleton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees.