How Waiheke Distilling Co. launched in the UK without a UK office
A family-run craft distillery on Waiheke Island wanted a share of the UK's gin market. With a small team and nobody on the ground in the UK, it needed a partner in London. Here is how we made the UK launch possible.
Selling into a gin nation from the other side of the world
Waiheke Distilling Co. is a family-run craft distillery on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, and a passion project of owners Liz Scott and Glen Cadwallader. It makes gin, vodka and a ready-to-drink G&T. Established in 2018, it took three years to get ready to open.
The UK was the obvious next market. "With the UK's rich gin tradition, we think it is incredibly interesting for us and we wanted to have the opportunity to expand there," says Liz.
But the team was small, resources were limited and nobody was based in the UK. That makes even the basics harder. As Liz put it: "Opening a company bank account can be difficult if you are not physically present."
Before
Award-winning spirits and a small team in New Zealand, with no UK bank account, VAT registration or UK accounts.
After
A UK sales channel with banking, VAT and Xero in place, and a London team acting on its behalf.
A UK team acting on their behalf
Liz chose Paul for his network in both countries. "Paul was the best professional possible to entrust with this 'mission'," she said. "He is a highly respected accountant with a strong network in both New Zealand and UK."
We handled the full UK setup, supported their UK business planning and market introduction, and stayed on hand as the awards started to arrive.
- 1Setup
UK setup with no UK presence
We opened their UK company bank account, handled VAT registration and set up UK accounts on Xero.
- 2March 2022
Silver in London
Spirit of Waiheke gin won silver at the London Spirits Competition. It led to an editorial partnership with the official Platinum Jubilee art book.
- 3UK launch
Tasting in London
Liz travelled to London to sample the range for an elite audience, fast-tracking the UK launch.
- 42023
Gold in London
Horopito Spice vodka won gold at the London Spirits Awards, alongside two more medal winners and the best New Zealand spirit award.
A UK sales channel and an extra pair of hands in London
Waiheke now has a UK sales channel, and the UK is one step in its plans for global growth. Back home, it has launched a G&T RTD on Fullers ferries and opened the distillery for weddings and events.
We stay involved. Our team is on site in the UK, acts on Waiheke's behalf, advises whenever needed and even processes its payments. Liz says that has given the team "great peace of mind."
"With a small team and limited resources we feel like Paul Beare is an extension of our Waiheke Distilling Company family."
Want to sell in the UK without a UK office?
Paul Beare helps overseas businesses open a UK business bank account, register for VAT and run UK accounts, then acts for them on the ground. Talk to our team about your plans.
