Scotland’s only woman-owned non-alcoholic brewing company, Jump Ship, is planning to open a 20 hectolitre brewery, allowing it to quadruple the amount of the 0.5% ABV beer brewed.
Managing director Sonja Mitchell is about to secure the new site at Rosemain Steadings in Midlothian, launching a Seedrs crowdfunding campaign to raise the final £300,000 required for the move.
The funding should also see an additional three full time equivalent jobs created at the site this year, with the team set to expand by a further 10 over the next three years.
One of only a handful of female-owned breweries in the UK, Jump Ship has tripled turnover over the past two years, with the new brew house it to produce up to 800,000 litres a year. In addition, the site would provide a stable and renewable energy via a biomass generator.
Mitchell said: “The no and low category is a huge growth area and, as the only non-alcoholic brewing company brewing and headquartered in Scotland, this move is hugely exciting for us.
“This expansion will allow us to pursue new contracts with the multiples and expand our export markets - as well as continuing to develop our direct sales.”
Initial funding targets to launch the business were reached in less than a week in 2019 via RBS Back Her Business.
Jump Ship’s annual turnover to the year ending December 2022 grew to £111,000 - achieved through direct to consumer sales and a 250% jump in its wholesale sales, particularly in the on trade sector.
In addition, Mitchell has overseen sales to the US and the Nordics - markets which she believes are set to grow.
A keen sailor, beer-lover and mother of three, she decided to ‘jump ship’ from her marketing job to launch the company in 2019. The company also has a commitment to donate at least 10% of profits to a variety of charities, which are nominated by Jump Ship’s customers.
Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, chair of Scotland Food & Drink, commented: “It’s exciting to see this kind of ambition from a company like Jump Ship that focuses on outstanding quality and flavour.
“Like the free-from category, the non-alcoholic sector is an area we’re seeing real growth and innovation - we know that the demand for these products is growing rapidly.”
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