Latest news with #IsleofHarrisGin
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Isle of Harris Distillery to cut jobs amid restructuring
Isle of Harris Distillery has initiated a restructuring programme that will include a reduction in both production levels and workforce at its distillery. In a statement, managing director of the Scottish gin and whisky maker Simon Erlanger said the decision was being made 'to safeguard the future of our business'. He added the move was "deeply regrettable". Specific details regarding the number of job losses or the departments affected were not disclosed.. Erlanger added: 'Much like our colleagues in the wider spirits industry, we are facing challenging headwinds which have led to some incredibly difficult decisions. 'Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target." Global exports of Scotch whisky declined in value terms but increased in volume terms in 2024, recent figures from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) show. Exports by value stood at £5.4bn ($6.7bn) last year, marking a 3.7% decrease from 2023. Founded in 2015 and based in Harris, part of Scotland's Outer Hebrides, Isle of Harris Distillery currently has 45 employees. It produces Isle of Harris Gin - distilled with locally harvested sugar kelp seaweed - as well as its single malt whisky, Hearach. Its products are available in 20 countries, with key markets including the US, UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In December 2022, the distillery secured £10m (then $12.1m) in funding from HSBC 'to venture into new markets and expand our international footprint'. With the funding, the distillery also built two new warehouses on the island. In the statement, Erlanger added: 'To date, Isle of Harris Distillery represents a £20m+ investment in the island economy. 'We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long term vision.' "Isle of Harris Distillery to cut jobs amid restructuring" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
STV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Council to work with island distillery after 'regrettable' job cuts
A council has said it will work with a whisky distillery in the Outer Hebrides after it announced job cuts as part of a restructuring programme. The Isle of Harris Distillery announced on Tuesday that restructuring was needed to 'safeguard the future' of the business. Best known for being the maker of the Isle of Harris Gin, the distillery was established a decade ago with just ten employees. Now employing 50 people, the company will commence with a round of voluntary and potentially compulsory redundancies. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has said it will engage with the distillery in an effort to raise any solutions to retain employees following the announcement. In a statement, the distillery's managing director Simon Erlanger said challenging headwinds in the spirits industry had led to 'incredibly difficult decisions'. He said: 'In a move to safeguard the future of our business, today we are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery. 'Much like our colleagues in the wider spirits industry, we are facing challenging headwinds which have led to some incredibly difficult decisions. 'Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target. It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business. 'To date, Isle of Harris Distillery represents a £20m+ investment in the island economy. We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long term vision.' The news comes after The Scottish Whisky Association warned that tariffs imposed by the US – its most important overseas market – would be a 'huge blow' to the spirits industry. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar described The Isle of Harris Distillery as a 'world-renowned brand' and said they will reach out to the UK and Scottish Governments in an effort to gain an understanding into any external factors affecting the restructuring. Cllr Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: 'Our primary concern following this announcement is the wellbeing of the employees impacted by this decision and their families. 'It is incredibly disappointing that one of the islands most recognisable brands has made the clearly difficult decision to make staff redundant. The Comhairle will engage with the distillery to discuss this matter and support any solutions to retain employees and strengthen the business. 'It is important that we gain an understanding of external factors that may have contributed to this situation. The Comhairle will make representation to UK and Scottish Government on these factors where appropriate.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
29-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Award-winning Scottish whisky distillery announces job cuts
The maker of Isle of Harris Gin, and also the first single malt whiskies in Harris in almost 200 years, employs 50 people. The distillery, which has won multiple awards for its single malt The Hearach, opened in 2015 with just 10 employees. Last year, Isle of Harris won Scottish Distillery of the Year as well as Product Launch of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards. Managing director Simon Erlanger said the spirits industry was facing "challenging headwinds" and having to make difficult decisions. He said restructuring was needed to safeguard the future of the business. READ MORE: We can still raise a glass to future of our whisky Staff are being offered voluntary redundancy but compulsory will follow if cost-cutting targets are not met. Erlanger said: "Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target," (Image: Isle of Harris) "It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business." The Scotch Whisky Association said earlier this month it was "disappointed" Scotch whisky could be impacted by 10% tariffs introduced by US president Donald Trump. The SNP said the White House's levies are set to 'hammer' the Scotch whisky industry, adding that it lost more than £600m the last time tariffs were applied in 2019 at 25%. READ MORE: Major update on future of Summerhall as Edinburgh Fringe venue In 2022, the Isle of Harris distillery secured £10 million in funding from HSBC to pay for a new export drive to distribute its gin to more than 20 markets around the world including the US, Canada and Germany. Erlanger said the distillery represented more than £20m investment in the island's economy. He added: "We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. "The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long term vision."
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Makers of Isle of Harris Gin reducing production and staff
Isle of Harris Distillery says it will reduce its production and workforce as part of a restructuring maker of Isle of Harris Gin, and also the first single malt whiskies on Harris in almost 200 years, employs 50 people. The distillery opened in 2015 with just 10 director Simon Erlanger said the spirits industry was facing "challenging headwinds" and having to make difficult decisions. Scotland's whisky industry warned earlier this month tariffs imposed by the US - its most important overseas market - would be a "huge blow". 'Deeply regrettable' Mr Erlanger said restructuring was needed to safeguard the future of the said: "Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target. "It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business."Mr Erlanger said the distillery represented more than £20m investment in the island's economy. He added: "We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. "The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long term vision."In 2022, the distillery secured £10m in funding from HSBC to pay for a new export drive to distribute its gin to more than 20 markets around the includes the US, Canada, France and Germany.
