Drinks company sees profits rise as it targets global expansion

Steve Perez

Chesterfield independent drinks producer and distributor Global Brands has reported growth of almost a fifth in its latest financial results.

The company is reporting a 19.5% increase in total sales, taking turnover to over £50m for the financial year ending 30th September 2018.

This follows 16% growth in the previous financial year (2016-17) and sees gross profit rise from £11.8m to £14m for 2017-2018.

Global Brands says it sold around 60 million drinks during the last year, with its brands now available in 58 countries.

The company, which was founded in 1997, saw the value of exports grow by 21% year-on-year, with strong demand for its drinks in Belgium, Italy and South Africa. In 2018, Global Brands secured a listing for its Franklin & Sons range in South Africa’s largest retailer, Pick N Pay, which is selling the British company’s premium tonics, mixers and soft drinks in over 1,100 stores.

Founder and chairman of Global Brands, Steve Perez, said: “The drinks industry is so strangled by needless bureaucracy, it limits original ideas. Our company growth is being driven by an innovative and entrepreneurial team that’s encouraged to do things differently. They’re constantly looking at how they can create new drinks that justify a place on supermarket shelves and in the fridges of bars, late-night venues and restaurants around the world.

“The team’s innovative thinking is rooted in what consumers want and working with our customers to quickly meet demand. It led to the creation of premium canned cocktail All Shook Up, which is now a top seller in one of the UK’s largest supermarkets.

“Sticking to our roots is fuelling ongoing new product development, range expansion and sales. This is creating new revenue opportunities for our customers and opening-up more markets for Global Brands. We’re currently meeting growing demand from as far afield as Columbia to China and Norway to North Korea, expanding our presence around the world.”

Close