Arran Distillers reports record results

Isle of Arran Distillers has reported its best ever annual results following an almost 60% increase in profits last year, its most recent accounts have shown.

Isle of Arran Distillers has “enormous” potential to grow, according to managing director Euan Mitchell

The independent distillery reported a rise in turnover of 25%, with sales exceeding £4.5 million last year.

“As a team we have worked hard to build Isle of Arran Distillers into the business it is today, and we continue to keep adding to our capacity and capability to support our long-term success,” said Euan Mitchell, managing director of Arran Distillers.

“It is really pleasing to see that our approach and hard work is delivering results. We are something of an overnight success, nearly 20 years in the making.”

Export sales rose by 26% last year and brand sales increased by 28% over the same period. France remains the distillery’s largest overall market, while the US is now the biggest market for the Arran Single Malt.

To support future growth the company has invested in a new warehouse scheduled to open at the end of 2014, which will allow the distillery to store 12,000 extra casks. Meanwhile plans to install two extra pot stills by 2016 will double the distillery’s production.

In addition, further plans are being made to upgrade the visitor’s centre by 2015 in anticipation of growing tourist numbers as a result of the introduction of the road equivalent traffic to the island’s ferry service later this year.

“This investment in the distillery is a mark of our confidence tha we can continue buiding sales around the world for many years to come,” Mitchell added. “We have achieved a lot in recent years though the potential to grow is enormous and we need to lay down the stocks now to ensure we can meet the anticipated demand.”