THE Melbourne-based Gillon Group of Companies has taken a 10 per cent stake in Strait Brands Pty. Ltd., parent company of award-winning Tasmanian spirits producer Strait Drinks. (November 23, 2007)

With a combination of funding for new production facilities, plant and equipment, cash flow for further expansion and professional expertise from within the group, the investment is worth $1.1m.

In addition, Gillon Group, which trades on five continents, will have exclusivity to develop 10 high profile export markets for Strait.

The Gillon Group is a conglomerate of property development, manufacturing and investment businesses headed by chairman and former Olympian Peter Gillon.

Strait Drinks began production of Strait Vodka and a range of premium spirits and innovative spirit blends, at Beauty Point, in Tasmania, in April 2006, and has since earned two medals at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, in London.

The company is committed to accelerating growth with a focus on international markets. It is currently negotiating supply arrangements in Asia, including China and Russia; North and South America and the European Community.

Domestically, as a result of the Gillon investment, the company expects to begin soon a national roll out of its portfolio.

"We have had a clear focus on the development of overseas markets because they will finance our national roll out in Australia," said managing director Philip Ridyard.

"The biggest impediment to the launch and progress of domestically produced spirits brands in Australia is the weekly excise duty impost which currently represents $18.35 of ever bottle we sell from our bond at Beauty Point. That's $12,000 on every pallet.

"While profit margins might be narrower, we pay no duty on exports and consequently our export activity, combined with the Gillon Group investment, will further enhance our Australian expansion."


NEW PACKAGING EMPHASISES POINT OF DIFFERENCE

STRAIT DRINKS will re-launch its premium spirits portfolio in entirely new packaging in December 2007. (NOVEMBER 21, 2007)

Strait Vodka, Strait Dry Gin and Strait Tasmanian Native Pepperberry Vodka have all been upgraded with the gin and pepperberry vodka now bearing the bronze medals earned at the International Wines and Spirits Competition, in the UK, in 2006.

The Strait Vodka bottle features a new photograph of the Tasmanian natural icon Cradle Mountain taken by amateur photographer and Tasmanian wildlife expert Yolande Szekfy, of Beauty Point, Tasmania.

Strait Dry Gin features an uprated photograph of a sunset view from Freycinet across Great Oyster Bay, on Tasmania's East Coast.

Recently-introduced Strait Twenty is the first spirits range in Australia to be packaged in bottles printed in six colours and highlights distinctive hibiscus flowers.

The entire Strait range, including Strait Vodka, Strait Dry Gin and Strait Tasmanian Native Pepperberry Vodka, will  carry Strait branded caps, rather than waxing introduced when the products were initially launched.

"As an innovative company, we are constantly revising our packaging and we have been able to take advantage of state of the art equipment recently installed by our printer in Adelaide," said Strait managing director Philip Ridyard.

"It means we can push the boundaries in packaging development and emphasise our commitment to premium products and total quality. Our packaging makes our products even more distinctive."

The Swedish contingent were particularly appreciative of a super-smooth, premium vodka and expressed uncharacteristic Scandanavian delight that such a quality product was a home-grown Australian product.

In Strait Drinks’ first formal international tasting event, guests were guided through the entire range of Strait products by managing director Philip Ridyard.

They were also able to enjoy a range of cocktails featuring Strait Vodka, Strait Dry Gin, Strait Tasmanian Native Pepperberry Vodka and the Strait Twenty range.

Fruit vodkas currently in development were also featured during the tasting, with the commitment to 100 per cent natural flavours recognised as a significant advantage over rival brands. The event was a pre-cursor to an official launch of Strait’s range into Indonesia early in 2008 and was followed by several in-trade tastings in Jakarta and Bali over six days.

"We were delighted with the response and the feedback since has been excellent. The hospitality industry in Indonesia is ready to embrace the Strait portfolio." said event coordinator Hubert Setiyadi.

Philip Ridyard added: "The Indonesian market is sophisticated and appreciative of premium products. There was immediate and considerable interest in Strait products and we look forward to a succession of official launches throughout 2008."


STRAIT TWENTY RANGE LAUNCH

A NEW range of gin and vodka blends with hibiscus flavours has been launched by award-winning Tasmanian spirits manufacturer Strait Drinks. (JUNE 1, 2007)

Strait Twenty (20 per cent alcohol by volume) is a range of four products believed to be the first alcoholic beverages featuring hibiscus.

It comprises Strait Twenty Hibiscus Guava Dry Gin; Hibiscus Pineapple Dry Gin; Hibiscus, Vodka and Vanilla, and the award-winning Strait Tasmanian Native Pepperberry Vodka and Hibiscus.

Hibiscus, which has recognised herbal and therapeutic qualities, has been drunk as a tea since ancient Egyptian times and is popular across Africa and in Muslim nations during fasting.

"We believe this is the first range of spirit-based drinks featuring hibiscus and the response in Australia and overseas, especially in Asia, has been exceptional," said Strait Drinks managing director Philip Ridyard.