A Scottish gin producer has expanded into international markets after working with Business Gateway on its growth strategy.
Based in Perth and Kinross, the Gael Spirit Company was launched by industry veteran Nigel Large in 2019, in partnership with his wife Beverley and friends Jamie Maclean and Tanya Brown.
He identified a gap in the market for a Scottish gin distilled with malted barley and worked with Strathleven distillery in Dumbarton to launch The Gael Signature Scottish Gin. It contains malted barley as a base, alongside a blend of botanicals and Scottish heather.
Following a package of support from Scotland’s national business advisory service Business Gateway, the firm has recently started exporting into Denmark, with plans to target France and Canada in 2021.
Business Gateway helped the firm finalise its business plans, including a strategy planning workshop covering sales projections, marketing, product development and routes to funding.
Their advisor also signposted the team towards further support from Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International, who were able to help with potential international trade obstacles and ensured the expansion strategy was robust.
Co-founder Nigel Large said: “While Covid-19 has disrupted our plans, we remain on track to achieve our growth objectives in 2021 and continue our expansion into key global markets, with the potential of taking on more employees further down the line.”
Andrew Webster, a Business Gateway advisor, added: “Nigel and his team have worked tirelessly to create a uniquely Scottish product that boasts a distinctive taste and strong brand.
"They have a fantastic story to tell; by developing their growth strategy and expanding into new markets, they will have the opportunity to reach many more customers, giving them the chance to try their product."
