CoLab has recently secured the signature of a distribution agreement with award-winning Welsh Whisky Penderyn for Asia Pacific travel retail and Singapore domestic markets
Founded in 2022, CoLab is a brand distribution firm that supports the route- to-market and business development of high-potential wines and spirits brands across Asia Pacific in travel retail, domestic off-trade and on-trade channels.
Headquartered in Singapore, CoLab has witnessed a successful first full year of operations, growing its team, brand portfolio and distribution network, while forging a strong reputation for commercial relationships, sales and marketing acumen and supply chain efficiencies.
The firm has recently secured the signature of a distribution agreement with award-winning Welsh Whisky Penderyn for Asia Pacific travel retail and Singapore domestic markets. This has been backed by a long-term partnership agreement with VSPT Wine Group to develop Asia Pacific travel retail channel, in strategic markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore among others, for the renowned Chilean wine brand 1865.
CoLab is building on existing relationships with brand partners such as McConnell’s Irish Whisky, Takamaka Rum, Domaine Paul Mas and CVH Spirits (formerly Distell International) for Deanston, Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Scottish Leader, as well as their South African brand portfolio. It currently supplies DFS, Heinemann, KrisShop, Largardere Travel Retail, Lotte Duty Free, Everrich and Tasa Meng in travel retail, as well as the likes of Cold Storage, FairPrice, Lazada and Shopee in domestic markets.
CoLab is owned by General Manager Phil Sancto, who has 15 years of experience in the wine and spirits business across Europe and Asia Pacific. His career has spanned tenures with Tesco in the United Kingdom, India and Thailand as Beer, Wine & Spirits Buyer and most recently, he was Regional Commercial Director Asia Pacific for the world’s fourth largest wine company Viña Concha y Toro.
CoLab Owner General Manager Phil Sancto
Sancto said, “Having sat on both sides of the table, as a retailer and brand-owner in Asia Pacific, I understand the pain points and roadblocks to growth in the region. Conversely, I see the mutual opportunities. The CoLab model is simple yet effective. We exist to unleash high-potential brands by driving efficient and progressive routes-to-market. Through our distribution centre in Singapore, we handle consolidated logistics and mixed pallet supply from over nine countries of origin – and this is expanding – to bring efficiencies to our partners in stockholding, planning and logistics sustainability.
“I’m delighted to be able to announce our latest partnerships with Penderyn and VSPT Wine Group, and look forward to working with them to grow presence, brand equity and sales in specific channels.”
The Singapore-based distribution firm has also signed a long-term partnership agreement with VSPT Wine Group to develop the travel retail channel in Asia Pacific
