Warrington-headquartered drinks group Quintessential Brands, owner of Greenall's London Dry Gin, has posted a rise in sales although a rise in marketing spend impacted on profits.
Founding partner and chief executive Warren Scott told Insider the company's plans for 2015 were "all about investment for future growth" with the aim of "creating a leading European-based international spirits group in the next five years".
The business, which expanded last year with the purchase of Irish cream producer First Ireland Spirits, reported revenues of £61.4m for the year to 31 March 2014, up from £60.3m a year earlier.
A rise in international sales was behind the growth, with turnover outside of the UK, Europe and the US rising by 16 per cent to £37.7m. The increase helped to offset a fall in UK sales, which dropped from £21m to £17m.
But despite the overall turnover rise, pre-tax profit fell from £948,000 to £614,000 following increased investment in marketing activities to help drive brand awareness.
Scott said: "We are investing in people and have recruited some of the best talent in the drinks industry. Today we have a company of over 200 people with unrivalled expertise in crafting, distilling, bottling, selling and marketing spirits brands, as well as private label products worldwide.
"With the acquisition of First Ireland Spirits in April 2014, we offer world class production capabilities across multiple spirit categories working with retailers, brand owners and international spirits companies to source, bottle and distribute products."
Quintessential Brands owns a portfolio which includes Greenall's Original Gin, Bloom Gin, Berkeley Square London Dry Gin, Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin and Toussaint Coffee Rum Liqueur.
Since the year end, Greenall's Gin unveiled the first new additions to its range for more than 250 years. The brand, which has been making gin since 1761, launched Sloe Gin and Wild Berry Gin last October.
Scott added: "Our plans for the Quintessential Brands Group are all about investment for future growth. We are proud of what we have built over the past three years and with a number of further acquisitions, we will be working hard to confirm our place as one of Europe's leading independent international spirits companies in the years to come."
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