History
The Group is a major private group in the Scotch whisky industry with a number of specialist operations covering every facet of Scotch whisky distilling, blending and bottling.
The origins of The Group, today one of the largest companies in the Scotch whisky industry, stretch back to the 1850s when the company was founded in Glasgow by the Robertson family. Edrington continues to operate with the Robertson family values of Integrity, Independence, Involvement and Innovation.
The Robertson family was also responsible for founding Highland Distillers back in 1887 and in autumn 1999, Edrington acquired Highland along with its powerful brands The Famous Grouse, The Macallan and Highland Park. These are distributed throughout the world through a series of distribution networks and partnerships.
The Robertson Trust
Edrington is a Scottish company and is controlled 100 per cent by The Robertson Trust. The Trust bears the family name of the three Robertson sisters who had inherited the many Scotch Whisky interests founded and developed by their father and grandfather. Keen to ensure the on-going success of these interests, in 1961 they brought them together under The Group (named after a farm near their home) and established The Robertson Trust. www.therobertsontrust.org.uk
This charitable trust is funded to a considerable degree by dividend income from The Group and is charged with supporting a wide variety of charitable causes, largely in Scotland. Last year, the Trust gave £7 million to charities.
Some key dates
- 1865
- William A. Robertson begins business in Glasgow.
- 1860
- Robertson & Baxter founded.
- 1879
- Clyde Bonding Company Ltd founded.
- 1884
- The Clyde Cooperage Company Ltd. founded.
- 1885
- The North British Distillery Company Ltd. founded.
- 1887
- The Highland Distilleries Company plc founded.
- 1936
- Robertson & Baxter supplies first Cutty Sark blend.
- 1961
- Edrington Holdings Ltd established.
- 1967
- The Clyde Cooperage becomes part of The Group.
- 1970
- Highland Distilleries acquires Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd.
- 1993
- Robertson & Baxter acquires a 50% interest in The North British Distillery.
- 1996
- Robertson & Baxter, Clyde Bonding Company and The Clyde Cooperage Company re-structured and renamed The Group.
- 1998
- Cutty Sark International, a joint venture with Berry Brothers & Rudd, formed.
- 1999
- The Group acquires Highland Distillers plc.
- 2001
- The Group's head office moves from West Nile Street to Great Western Road, Glasgow.
- 2002
- Edrington signs agreement with Hite Group to supply Lancelot range to south Korea.
- 2003
- The Macallan becomes first Scotch whisky to open office in China.
- 2004
- Edrington named "best private company of the year" in Scotland in Scottish plc Awards