A DRINKS marketing agency run by two Huddersfield University graduates has won one of the grocery industry’s top awards.
Chilli Marketing was named outstanding small business of the year at the annual IGD Food Industry Awards – just three years after being launched from the back of a Fiat Punto.
The company, owned by Kieron Barton and Gareth Whittle, was recognised for the success of Cusquena, the premium larger that Chilli imports from Peru.
Judges described the company as an “inspirational” start-up, which had achieved success in a fiercely competitive market.
The accolade is the latest coup for Chilli Marketing and follows deals to supply the lager to retailer Waitrose and to put it into first class carriages on Virgin Trains’ west coast mainline route.
The Royal Bank of Scotland provided funding to help secure these deals and continues to support Chilli’s expansion plans.
The company expects annual sales of Cusquena in the UK to top a million cases within the next five years. The lager is brewed by Peruvian brewery Cervesur.
Kieron and Gareth formed Chilli Marketing to import and sell the beer in the UK.
The product is stocked by bars across the country and by supermarket groups such as Sainsbury’s, Booths, Asda and Tesco.
