THE Glenmorangie Company has seen profits rise by more than 20% as the Edinburgh-based distiller focused resources behind its two flagship brands.
Glenmorangie, a division of luxury goods business Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), saw pre-tax earnings rise to £13.1 million last year, up from £10.8m in 2011. Turnover surged by 11% to £66.2m.
The company said the results were driven by strong performances from Highland malt Glenmorangie and Islay whisky Ardbeg in established and emerging markets, including North and South America, Germany, France, the Nordic countries, China and Taiwan.
Both brands delivered volume and profit growth in the year ended December 31, 2012, new accounts filed at Companies House show.
The results offer further evidence of the continuing strength of the Scotch whisky industry
In recent weeks profit hikes have been posted by Morrison Bowmore and Edrington, while the sector's two biggest players, Diageo and Pernod Ricard, are investing heavily to increase their production capacity. Edrington has also highlighted its intention to increase its capacity.
Glenmorangie said demand for luxury malts around the world continues to remain prolific.
Noting that its position as a premium branded whisky business had allowed it to withstand economic headwinds, it added that it was well-placed to capitalise on the continuing growth by being part of the global distribution network of parent firm Moet Hennessy.
Glenmorangie's continuing growth was reflected in an increase in staff numbers last year.
The business, which operates distilleries on Islay and at Tain in the Highlands, saw its average employee head count rise to 214 in 2012 from 198 the year before as it added roles in production, sales and marketing to support its expansion plans.
The company's wage and salary bill came in at £9.4m for the year, compared with £8.8m in 2011.
A combination of salaries, benefits and performance-related pay saw boardroom pay booked at £987,000, with the highest-paid director receiving a package worth £406,000.
Directors' remuneration was significantly lower than in 2011, when a directors termination payment of £1.3m saw overall pay rise to £2.5m. The company declined to say who received the payment.
Glenmorangie took steps to lay down stocks last year to support the growth of its brands in future, with the investment helping to raise the value of its net assets to £124.8m, up from £113.9m. Casks purchased as part of its distilling programme drove overall capital investment, which was down narrowly at £4.2m from last year's £4.3m.
Last year the distiller launched limited edition Ardbeg and Glenmorangie malts, which are said to have played well with connoisseurs and heightened awareness of the whiskies among spirits drinkers.
It also launched a partnership with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which saw it sponsor the Open Championship at St Andrews and appoint Tony Jacklin and Sir Nick Faldo as ambassadors.
Its association with the R&A continued last month when it was the spirit of the Open at Muirfield.
The directors also noted in the accounts that Glenmorangie was named distiller of the year at the prestigious International Wines and Spirits Council (IWSC) awards last year.
A spokesman said: "The Glenmorangie Company is a strong business and we are very confident about the continuing success of our business model which, as part of the longer term strategy, will see increased production and more jobs for Scotland."
Meanwhile, Highland distiller Tomatin has become the first to win The Spirit of the Whisky Fringe award two years in a row.
The award, contested as part of the Edinburgh Fringe, came as the company reported sales growth of 150% in the UK over the past three years.
Tomatin took the award at the Fringe for its 30 year old single malt.
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