G&J Greenall

This white spirit distiller, based in Warrington, is one of the UK's leading producers of gin and vodka.

Although purchased by the Greenall group in 1923, the company has been distilling gin to the same family recipe since 1761.

Following the closure of Greenall breweries in 1990, and the subsequent sale of its pubs, the distillery is now part of the De Vere Hotel Group.

Its flagship product is Greenall's Original London Dry Gin, which revealed new "more contemporary, up-to-date" packaging in October 2002.

Greenall's is pushing forward its global operations, currently shipping to more than 50 markets worldwide.

One of its most popular international products is the Quintessential Warrington Dry Gin.

Launched initially in the American and Canadian markets, but now available in top London style bars, this "uniquely smooth" gin is distilled five times to give it a "delicate and balanced flavour", and uses lime as one of its botanicals, which is notoriously difficult to control during distillation.

Main Brands: Greenall's Original London Dry Gin (40% abv), Quintessential Warrington Dry Gin (45% abv), Black Death Vodka (40% abv) and Black Death Tequila Employees: Approximately 100 Don't Mention: Black Death in Russia.

For many years, the company had a thriving market in Russia.

With an office in Moscow, and a highly-profitable range of canned Black Death Vodka, things were going exceptionally well.

But the collapse of the Russian rouble brought this all to an abrupt halt and caused the company to lose a considerable amount of money.

Plans for the future: Increasing its export size to more and more countries throughout the world.

Having recently begun shipping its Quintessential Warrington Dry Gin to Japan, G&J Greenall is now hoping to bring this unique product to Europe, whilst continuing its promotion of the new, canned gin and tonic pre-mix.