Isle of Harris Distillers is planning more international growth after securing a £10m funding package from HSBC UK.
The company says the funding will be used to expand the distribution of Isle of Harris Gin and, when launched, its Hearach malt whisky to more than 20 international markets including the USA, Canada, France and Germany.
The distillery is also using the funding to build two new warehouses, two miles from its Tarbert distillery on the Isle of Harris. The extra 2,000 sq m of warehouse space will hold 9,000 casks - equivalent to some 2.75m bottles of spirits.
The distillery was founded in 2015 to support the inhabitants of Harris by providing jobs and boosting tourism to the island. It has twice been named Distillery of the Year in the Scottish Gin Awards and is one of the Isle of Harris’ largest employers, with 45 employees in total.
Executive chairman and CFO Ron MacEachran said: "As a business focused on the future, we’re excited to venture into new markets and expand our international footprint – and to introduce more of the world to the bottled spirit from our special island.
"We’re delighted that HSBC UK has supported us in our ambitions to grow our business. Achieving ongoing commercial success stimulates global interest and visitors to this beautiful island, assisting it to survive and flourish in the 21st century.”
Neal Tully, relationship director at HSBC UK, added: "Scotland’s food and drink industry is thriving on the Isle on Harris. The distillery is a great example of a dedicated and robust Scottish business which has put itself on the map, not only in Scotland, but on a global scale too."
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