Inver House toasts overseas markets as sales rise 19%

THE drinks firm behind Old Pulteney and Balblair single malts has reported a double-digit rise in full-year sales but said a bigger marketing spend capped its profits.

Airdrie-based Inver House Distillers, which owns five distilleries and is a subsidiary of ThaiBev’s International Beverage Holdings, yesterday said turnover in 2010 had risen by 19 per cent to £62.9 million, helped by Old Pulteney’s biggest ever sponsorship campaign.

The brand has made “significant increases” in target markets including Russia and the US. Total Old Pulteney volume growth was 22 per cent.

Pre-tax profits, however, were flat at £9.6m, with operating profits of just over £9.8m only slightly ahead of the year before.

Managing director Graham Stevenson said: “Our turnover has shown healthy growth. At the pre-tax level our result is flat, reflecting our increased investment in the marketing and distribution of our brands in key international markets.”

The old Pulteney “Row to the Pole” campaign is backing explorer Jack Wishart’s attempt to row to the North Pole.