SINGAPORE, 10 May 2019  Building on its integration of Neat Spirits Australia in September 2018, Proof & Company, one of Asia Pacific’s leading independent spirits companies, is making a significant investment in expanding its platform and capabilities in New Zealand.

In April 2019, Neat Spirits New Zealand completed its integration into Proof & Company, and now operates under a unified banner as Proof & Company New Zealand. This integration marks another step in Proof & Company’s drive to create an Asia Pacific-wide platform for independent spirit brands.

Proof & Company will significantly expand its team in New Zealand over the course of 2019 under the leadership of General Manager Paul Broadbent, who oversees both Proof Australia and Proof New Zealand from the company’s Melbourne-based regional headquarters.

The official launch of Proof New Zealand has also seen the introduction of Proof & Company’s acclaimed creative team services in New Zealand. This award-winning support for hotels, bars, restaurants and retailers will be overseen by Creative Director Jason William and Sydney-based Spirits Evangelist, Charlie Ainsbury. The Spirits Evangelists on Proof & Company’s creative team provide bar development, training and education for clients and act as ambassadors for Proof & Company’s portfolio of independent spirit brands.

This weekend, you can catch Charlie and Jason at the official after party of Highball Spirits Festival in Wellington, where CGR Merchants is also hosting  a 28 Hong Kong Street takeover. Guests can expect 28 HongKong cocktail classics, and the high energy atmosphere of this iconic Singapore cocktail bar.

As part of the integration, Proof New Zealand has also officially launched JERRY, Proof & Company’s online beverage learning platform. This modern beverage education solution, the first of its kind globally, soft launched in Asia in early 2018 and is now used by leading hospitality operators around the world.

“New Zealand was where the Neat Spirits journey all began back in 2012,” notes Broadbent, “The New Zealand independent spirits scene is really starting to blossom and we are keen to contribute to its growth by expanding our team and portfolio, supporting education for hospitality  professionals through JERRY and helping to elevate guest experiences through our creative services.”

“We are committed to building a world-class platform for independent spirits across key markets in Asia Pacific. This next step in New Zealand is a natural one, given our successful investment in Neat Spirits in Australia in 2018,” notes Proof & Company CEO, Paul Gabie, “New Zealand consumers and the local bar community are committed to so many of the principles that define ‘independent’ for us, including craft, provenance, and sustainability. We look forward to building on the great work of the Neat Spirits New Zealand team.”

Proof & Company and Neat Spirits were both founded in 2012 to champion importation, distribution and marketing of independent spirits brands in key Asia Pacific markets. With the integration of Neat Spirits New Zealand, Proof & Company has completed its full acquisition and integration of Neat Spirits.