With their roots in the roaring 20’s Trevethan Gin are looking forward to a bright future thanks to digital technology.
Trevethan Gin is a quality handmade gin created using a traditional family recipe perfected in the 1920s by Norman Trevethan. Each batch is hand distilled at their craft facility in Saltash, using botanicals sourced from their own Cornish hedgerows.
The company was set up in 2015 by John Hall and Rob Cuffe, who is Norman Trevethan’s grandson. Initially selling into independent wine stores, the company grew rapidly and soon gained distribution in Waitrose and through St Austell Brewery.
John Hall says: “There is currently a resurgence of interest in gin, partly fuelled by changes in legislation (which no longer demand a minimum still size), so this has helped craft gins to flourish. This is a trend which we are also seeing in overseas markets. In the last year, we have started exporting to France and Germany.”
Working flexibly
John and Rob are now gearing up for the next stage of their business expansion, putting in place the technology they need to make the most of the market opportunity. Grant funding from Superfast Business Cornwall has enabled them to invest in a new digital till system, iPads, laptops and a new desktop PC, as well as a cloud based management system.
John says: “The digital till system transforms our accounting processes and the new devices mean we can work effectively wherever we are. As we are often on the move, for example at events or festivals or travelling to explore new sales opportunities, being able to work flexibly is making a big difference to our productivity.”
Streamlining processes
John continues: “Meanwhile, the cloud based management system is set to transform the way we operate. It will allow us to track all activity from raw materials and production right through to invoicing. It will help us with items such as traceability, stock control, pricing and marketing. It will now be far easier and quicker for us to evaluate the impact of variables such as different pricing or promotional strategies so we will be able to make the best management decisions. It will also be easier to identify any wastage and streamline our processes. As we will now have real time visibility of what is happening, we will be able to react and make changes far more quickly. I am expecting this to lead to a significant improvement in our productivity and profitability.
New export opportunities
“Now we will have this new management system at the heart of our operations, we can take the next steps forward as a business. We have already taken on two new members of staff and expect to recruit another one shortly. We are moving to larger premises in Saltash and we are investigating export to several new overseas markets, including the USA and Australia as well as other countries in Europe. The future is looking very bright indeed.”
Improving productivity
Steve Edwards of Superfast Business Cornwall says: “The new cloud based system will enable the company to improve efficiencies within the business and gear up production to meet new sales opportunities. It will also facilitate more accurate forecasting, allowing the company for example to negotiate better contracts with suppliers. Overall, the new investment in IT technology will radically improve the way the company can operate, making them more agile, more productive and more profitable.”
John concludes: “Our unique recipe dates back a hundred years. It is exciting to be able to use the very latest digital technology to help us bring it to customers around the world in the years ahead.”
The Superfast Business Cornwall programme is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Serco, national market leaders in the provision of Superfast Broadband focused business support. It offers ambitious businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly expert advice and guidance on how to understand, adopt and exploit digital technology for growth. It fast-tracks the move to a more effective ways of working, by showing businesses how to use the full capabilities of modern IT systems.
260 Businesses have received 12 hours or more of support with a further 80 currently progressing through the programme.
To find out if your business could benefit from the service visit www.sfbcornwall.co.uk.
