Forest flavours go global after first export wins for gin family
THE Flavours of Macclesfield Forest are going global after a family-run gin celebrates winning its first export orders.
Karl and Lindsay Bond founded Forest Gin and distil the drink in small batches at their home next to Macclesfield Forest, using botanicals and other ingredients from the woods. They have achieved success at home with the gin available in shops such as Harvey Nichols and The Conran Shop in London.
Forest Gin is the only premium gin served by Virgin Trains’ 1st Class Lounge in Euston, as well being the gin of choice in many Michelin-starred restaurants.
When they saw interest on their website coming from countries throughout Europe, the couple, who have a daughter Hattie, decided to branch out abroad. They met experts from the Government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign and received advice.
The company’s first export order was made from a major distributor in Germany in May and there have been several further export orders.
The company has also started supplying a distributor in Switzerland and will be listed by a major department store chain across the country.
Karl and Lindsay are now looking to export even further afield and are discussing opportunities which arose from attending a trade mission to China late last year.
Karl said: “We are so pleased that we can share our products with new clients around the world.
“We have been involved in a trade mission to China and also met with overseas buyers in the UK, all organised by Exporting is GREAT. It has been a great learning experience and given us the information to know how to succeed in various countries.”
Clive Drinkwater, north west regional director for UK Trade and Investment, which is responsible for promoting British trade and runs the export campaign, said: “Forest Gin is a fantastic example of how a business can begin its export journey quickly and start selling its products to new, exciting markets. Karl and Lindsay have done fantastically well and we’ll continue to support them as they look to expand to even more new territories.
“Forest Gin is a great example of how the expertise UK drink companies possess is in demand all over the world.”
Companies looking to grow their business can visit exportingisgreat. gov.uk.