Craft Beer Clan of Scotland, the international division of Glasgow-based food and drink wholesaler JW Filshill, is ramping up distribution in key Asian markets after exhibiting at two of the region’s leading food and hospitality trade shows – HoFex in Hong Kong and ThaiFex in Bangkok – last month.
Set up last year to help Scottish craft brewers penetrate key markets initially in the Asia Pacific region and targeting a £2.5m annual turnover within three years, Craft Beer Clan is now working with 20 brewers from across Scotland and exporting to emerging markets including China, Hong Kong and Dubai.
“Having the opportunity to exhibit on the Scottish Pavilion at HoFex exposed us to many potential new customers in Hong Kong,” said Chris Miller, Head of Export and Commercial Operations at JW Filshill International. “It was an extremely busy exhibition and there were very high levels of interest in our portfolio, which ranges from porters to peat-smoked beers to pale ales and craft lagers, over the four days.”
Meanwhile, Craft Beer Clan continues to promote the craft beer sector through progressive convenience store operators. Independents seeking a point of difference now have access to a collection of more than 40 craft beers from Clan members, bolstering a growing product category.
Ian McDonald, Sales and Marketing Director at JW Filshill, said: “The Clan created an outstanding portfolio of quality craft beers from breweries around the country and we can offer independent retailers a lucrative USP given the category offers a high margin, typically 25%-30%.”
