Prospect of new jobs at Tain distillers Glenmorangie
More jobs could be created by The Glenmorangie Company as it targets growth after recording a pre-tax profit rise of more than 10 per cent.
The premium branded single malt Scotch whisky company, is determined to increase volume and profit of its brands Glenmorangie, which is made in Tain, and Islay-produced Ardbeg.
The focus of the group – where its principal activities comprise distillation, warehousing, bottling, marketing and sales of single malt Scotch whisky – is on brand development and increasing market share.
Plans include investing in marketing support for the brands and taking advantage of the global distribution network of parent company Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, based in France.
"The group is confident in this strategy going forward and will continue to support the development of its brands with the resultant positive impacts on increases in production and employment in its operations," states the firm in its annual report and financial statements for the year to 31st December 2014 published recently by Companies House.
It comes after the average number of employees dropped from 226 in 2013 to 217 last year. Despite this, employee costs increased from £12,790,000 in 2013 to £13,398,000 in 2014.
Figures also show pre-tax profit grew from £15,383,000 in 2013 to £17,055,000 last year, and turnover increased to £81,736,000 in 2014 from £70,120,000 for the previous 12 months.
"While the group recorded excellent momentum with solid growth from both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg brands, performance has been impacted by continued destocking by distributors in China," states the report.
The group also increased its contributions for charitable and education purposes from £15,796 in 2013 to £247,700 last year. Of this, a donation from each bottle of Glenmorangie Dornoch that was sold has been made to the Marine Conservation Society.
Glenmorangie Dornoch is a limited edition single malt whisky that was launched as part of the firm’s partnership with the Marine Conservation Society.
"The Glenmorangie brand focuses on marine conservation with a particular focus on the Dornoch Firth where the Glenmorangie Distillery is located," states the report. "To raise awareness for the conservation of the Dornoch Firth, Glenmorangie has partnered with the Marine Conservation Society to preserve this precious waterway and its marine life.":
The Glenmorangie Company sold The Scotch Malt Whisky Society to a group of private investors on 30th March this year.
"The society management team and The Glenmorangie Company have reviewed how best to grow the society further, exploring a number of options to ensure a prosperous future in the best interests of the society and its members," states the report.
"Following this review, the society management team and The Glenmorangie Company determined that new investors will enable the society to continue to flourish."
The Glenmorangie Company states it "has invested and supported" the expansion of the society in the UK and internationally since the firm acquired it in 2004.
