BrewDog announces record growth
PUBCO and brewer, BrewDog, which has bars in Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, has announced record growth in 2013 with plans to capitalise on this by creating 50 new jobs over the next six months.
The brewer, currently the UK’s fastest growing food and drink brand, has achieved its fifth consecutive year of record growth and is on track to turnover £19m, up from £10.8m in 2012.
To support its continued growth, the craft brewer is looking to expand its management team by creating a number of new positions.
Bucking the trend in the brewing sector, BrewDog has combined domestic growth with international expansion, opening its first non-UK bar in Stockholm earlier this year.
The firm now employs more than 200 staff across its network of bars and offices. It is currently advertising for a Head of Sales, UK On-Trade Account Manager and UK Off-Trade Account Manager.
In addition to its recruitment drive, BrewDog has also unveiled a new £5m expansion of its Ellon brewery.
The expansion plan will see the business open a number of new bars over the next six months, including five UK sites, and international outlets in Sao Paulo, New Delhi and Berlin.
The brewery’s rapid growth is in part funded by its so-called crowdfunding scheme ‘Equity for Punks’. A third round of this revolutionary scheme launched in June this year raised £1m in 24 hours as craft beer fans clamoured to invest in the maverick brewery. Shares were bought through many of the existing outlets.
Now, having raised £3.6m in less than four months, BrewDog is likely to reach its £4m target way ahead of its January 2014 deadline.
James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog said: “The media says the beer market is in decline, but it’s just being redefined. Sales of craft beer are growing and will continue to grow, demonstrating the global thirst for beer with real soul. The craft beer revolution has exploded from its niche starting point to an international movement.
“In 2007, BrewDog consisted of two humans and a dog. We are growing. Fast. We’re looking for some beer maniacs who are as passionate about great craft beer as we are to join the team. Our success is a direct result of the team of misfits we have built over the past few years and we invest a great deal of time into ensuring we get the right man, woman or dog for the job.”
He said the third round of Equity for Punks would give a huge boost to its expansion plans and allow the business to spread the craft beer revolution even further.
“Our Equity Punks are the cornerstone of everything we do and it’s great to share our growth with them. It’s their passion for great beer which has put us where we are now, and we want to put them at the heart of the operation,” he added.
