Independent food and drink wholesaler, JW Filshill has expanded into the export market, setting up JW Filshill International Ltd – trading as The Craft Beer Clan of Scotland – to help Scottish craft brewers initially penetrate the lucrative Asia market.
JW Filshill is targeting a £2.5m annual turnover within five years from the recently-created international arm.
The new company, with support from Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scotland Food & Drink, is drawing on the expertise of David Moore, a GlobalScot and respected Asia Pacific consultant, and beer industry veteran Chris Miller, ex-chief executive of Harviestoun Brewery.
Four breweries are currently involved: William Bros Brewing Company, based in Alloa; Eden Brewery of St Andrews; Perth-based Inveralmond Brewery; and the Deeside Brewery, Banchory. Craft Beer Clan of Scotland has already completed a successful trade mission to Asia, attending WhiskyL in Beijing and Shanghai plus events in Taipei and Seoul.
Managing Director of Filshill, Simon Hannah (pictured centre) said, “We’ve identified an opportunity to target Asia Pacific consumers who already love and buy Scotch whisky, and our initial trade mission to the WhiskyL events confirms there is an appetite for quality, Scottish craft beers – the number of people visiting our stands at WhiskyL far exceeded our expectations.'
Also pictured, new recruits David Moore (left), and Chris Miller (right) will work for the company's new export arm.