“The new Macallan enterprise will deliver significant benefits for tourism, Scotch whisky exports and the economy.”
The new Macallan distillery and visitor experience opened on 2 June, the culmination of three and a half years of collaboration and construction. Successful completion of this exciting project was made possible by the hard work, commitment, innovation, and drive of our team including our contractors, especially RSH+P, Robertson, and Forsyth.
We fully expect this new Macallan enterprise to deliver significant benefits for the tourism industry, Scotch whisky exports and the economy.
Such an ambitious facility also requires matching ancillary support and plant. On the Macallan site there are new drain and fill operations, further investments in warehousing, and the planned relocation of office accommodation closer to this campus.
Although The Macallan distillery dominated our agenda there was a wide range of operational accomplishments in the year.
The packaging team coped well with a busy schedule of premium introductions and pack changes. Significant upgrades to The Macallan and Highland Park packaging converged in a year that also included revisions to The Famous Grouse and Brugal in The Dominican Republic.
“In the UK we were pleased to receive an excellent rating for the environmental performance of our distilleries”
Today’s consumer of premium spirits expects perfect packaging and outstanding customer service. At our Great Western Road site the premium packaging team responded to that challenge skilfully. With premium expressions such as The Macallan Masters of Photography (VI) retailing at £2,500 per unit, it has become an increasingly important resource in the company’s premium evolution.
The company’s preparations for Brexit are well advanced. Work has been undertaken to optimise Edrington’s European supply chain with the aim of responding effectively to the trading arrangement in place at the conclusion of the transition period.
The company also recently gained AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) accreditation, which will facilitate our ability to move products through customs controls and procedures.
The Integra systems improvement project reached a significant milestone with the Dominican Republic installation. In the next phase of development we will look to maximise the benefits of Integra beginning with the construction of a new integrated planning system.
Our commitment to the management of wood supply continued with significant investment in casks and improvements to management processes.
In the UK we were pleased to receive an excellent rating for the environmental performance of our distilleries. In the CSR section of this report we disclose further details of our contribution towards the sustainability agenda.
Finally, the company committed to record levels of investment at our San Pedro de Macoris rum distillery in the Dominican Republic. This will upgrade the efficiency and environmental performance of this key facility over the next two years.