THE FIRM:
In a nutshell:The winner in the beverage category at Food Manufacture's 2004 Excellence Awards, Edrington is a major private group in the Scotch whisky industry.
History: William Robertson began Edrington in the mid 19th century, first founding the whisky broking business Robertson & Baxter (R&B) in 1860, then Clyde Bonding Company in 1879 and later Highland Distillers in 1887. R&B became the broker for Highland's new-make spirit (spirit ready to be diluted to cask strength), blending a number of brands, including Cutty Sark for wine merchant Berry Brothers & Rudd (BBR). In the mid 1940s R&B and Clyde Bonding were passed on to William's three granddaughters under the name the Edrington Group. Believing the company would have to be sold on their deaths, the three sisters created the Robertson Trust in 1961 -- naming it after one of their farms -- with 100% ownership of Edrington. Today, Edrington provides the main source of income for the trust, which donates money to charities nationwide.
Brands you'd recognise: The Famous Grouse (obviously) is the company's best-known whisky. Others include The Macallan and Highland Park and the lesser known The Glenrothes vintage malt, Glenturret and Tamdhu. And no, we haven't forgotten its Cutty Sark brand, but it's worth mentioning that Cutty Sark is also half-owned by BBR, following a joint venture in 1998 with Edrington over distribution, sales and marketing.
The strategy: Investment has been the cornerstone of Edrington, with around £20m being spent over the past few years to improve productivity and efficiency.
Where you'd work: Edrington operates four malt whisky distilleries in the Scottish towns of Rothes, Easter Elchies, Archiestown and Crieff, plus North British Distillery in Edinburgh, which it runs with joint-owner Diageo. It also has a warehouse and bottling facility in Glasgow.
Do say at interview: I'm a budding Kelly Holmes (events on the company's annual social calender include the Edrington Olympics, an annual indoor sports competition).
Don't say at interview: I thought the 'water of life' (uisge beatha) was Evian.
Contact: 0141 940 4000, http://www.edringtongroup.com.
