East Mids drinks distributor plans major expansion as profits soar

Global Brands, the Chesterfield-based drinks company, has submitted plans to extend its warehouse facility in Clay Cross in a move that could create new jobs.

The firm wants to add an extra 33,000 sq ft to its Clay Cross facility and create four new jobs.

Global Brands was set up in 1997 by Steve Perez and has grown to become one of the largest independent drinks suppliers in the UK.

The move comes after the company reported a 16% increase in sales, taking turnover to £42m for its financial year ending 30th September 2017.

Gross profit went up to £11.8m, from £10.8m, for the same period.

The company, which has a portfolio of 19 brands, saw total exports for the year grow by 50%, with export sales in 2017. Global Brands now distributes to 59 countries internationally.

Perez said: “Consumer demands and taste preferences sit at the heart of what we do and is really driving our growth to keep pace with a fast-changing market. Understanding what people want, whether that’s premium tasting mixers made using only natural ingredients or something different to sweet tasting fruit ciders, has seen us trailblaze. We created the alcoholic soda drinks category and established ourselves in the highly competitive premium tonics, mixers and soft drinks market.”

During the last year, Global Brands increased its number of employees by 16%, taking total staff numbers to over 160.