Belfast-based drinks company and creative agency Drinksology Kirker Greer (DKG) has announced plans for a multi-million pound investment over the next three years.
The company said it represents a substantial investment in both its workforce and brand development initiatives.
Founded 15 years ago by Steven Pattison and Richard Ryan, DKG has produced creative work for some of the biggest names in the drinks industry, including Diageo, Irish Distillers and William Grant & Sons.
It also manages its own growing portfolio of spirit brands, which now includes Jawbox Gin and Kirker Shamrock Irish whiskey, Ukiyo Japanese Gin, Kadoo rum and Born Irish Black Whiskey.
The expanding nature of the business has been matched with a growing workforce, which now numbers around 50.
DKG recently recruited 11 staff, including Donal MacAteer as chief financial officer; Ali Pickering as chief marketing officer; and Ryan McFarland as chief commercial and strategy officer.
As a team, we’ve outlined a growth strategy that allows us to build meaningful business for our Kirker Greer spirits portfolio in defined international markets over the coming years, but all of that must be built on solid foundations in our home markets,” said Mr McFarland.
“The investment we are announcing today ensures we have dedicated resources to support the on-trade across key UK and Irish cities, while also increasing our support for our off-trade partners and enhancing our brand and digital capability.”
Ali Pickering added: “As a business we’ve quietly spent the last decade designing and innovating on brands, consumer experiences and bars for some of the biggest names in the industry globally - we’ve used that expertise and experience to create some truly wonderful brands and liquids.
“We’re committed to building awareness, trial and trust in our fantastic portfolio and this investment is focused on exactly that – particularly in our home markets, as well as focus markets like Australia and Singapore.”