Scottish beer maker BrewDog is to more than double its workforce after receiving £1.5 million in taxpayer support to help fund the next stage of its development.
The north-east firm was founded in 2007 and quickly established itself as a major player in the craft brewing scene at both home and abroad with exports to more than 50 countries worldwide and a growing bar franchise.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney took a tour of the firm’s headquarters on Monday and said he was delighted to see a start-up Scottish company making such a splash.
He also used the visit to confirm a £1.5m regional selective assistance grant for BrewDog which will be used to support a major expansion that will see the firm’s headquarters workforce rise from 90 to more than 220.
In total, the company, which was founded in a bid to freshen up the “stuffy ales” market in the UK, employs more than 350 people across its global operations.
James Watt, who co-founded the brand with Martin Dickie, said the RSA grant would help take the business to the next level.
“One of our proudest moments in 2014 was announcing that BrewDog is a Living Wage Employer everyone on our team, from the incredible brewing and production crew to the passionate bar staff, are critical to the growth and success of BrewDog and the craft beer industry,” Mr Watt said.
“We are truly thankful for the immense support from the RSA and Scottish Enterprise.
“With the increased funding we are able to make our dreams a reality and add loads more integral and talented people to the BrewDog team.
“Each new hire will help us with our massive plans for 2015 and the years following and manifest our mission in Scotland and across the world.”
Allan McCabe, head of RSA at Scottish Enterprise, said BrewDog had gone a long way in a short time and the new grant funding would help expand the company’s horizons further.
“To ensure the continued growth of the food and drink sector in Scotland, we need to ensure that our companies have ambitious business leaders with a global mindset who can innovate to keep up with market trends and really inspire their employees,” he said.
Mr Swinney said BrewDog was a “remarkable Scottish success story”.
“I am delighted to support this growth through today’s RSA award which will create a further 130 jobs in the north east,” he said.
“With a presence across the globe it is only right that this young company should receive so many accolades, including today’s London Stock Exchange Group’s 1,000 Companies To Inspire Britain 2015.”