Independent Irish drinks specialist Duty Free Global (DFG) has entered into a distribution partnership with Global Drinks Ltd (GDL) to strengthen the DFG portfolio in Asia Pacific.
Hong Kong-based spirits company Global Drinks is owned and led by Managing Director Harry Kartasis. It specialises in the import and distribution of wines & spirits brands in Asian domestic and travel retail markets.
Kartasis brings extensive regional expertise to the partnership, having worked for Bacardi, Moët & Hennessy and most recently as General Manager Asia Pacific for Distell.
Duty Free Global offers a variety of specialist spirits & wines in its extensive portfolio: (Top left to bottom right) Scarabus Islay Single Malt Scotch whisky, Gold Bar whiskey, RumChata, Death’s Door gin, Somrus Gold Chai Spice cream liqueur and Buffalo Trace Kentucky bourbon
“Global Drinks is the perfect strategic partner for our company as we look to strengthen our distribution and reach for the brands we represent in the Asia Pacific market,” said Duty Free Global Founder and Commercial Director Barry Geoghegan.
“Harry and his company bring more synergies and structure to DFG in the region; from their back office and sales support teams, to their extensive Asian network, plus the welcome addition of warehousing in the Philippines, which provides a great hub for our brands.”
Harry Kartasis said: “I am very pleased to be partnering with Barry Geoghegan and the team at Duty Free Global. I have long admired Barry’s passion for his brands, his team, and the travel retail channel. The collaboration between Duty Free Global and Global Drinks gives both companies the opportunity to strengthen our brands across the globe, using each other’s extensive resources and market expertise.”
Kartasis added: “With both Barry and I passionate Liverpool Football Club supporters, our spiritual song ‘You’ll never walk alone’ has never been more apt as we support our brand partners and customers on this journey. We are confident that this collaboration will not only benefit both our companies but, most importantly, our clients, with our customers having access to an extensive portfolio of engaging brands as well as even more support in the region.”