As the new Trade Development Manager at Kukla UK, Emma Canty brings expertise, passion and precision to drinks logistics. In this Q&A, conducted by Chris Porter, Emma unpacks shifting global wine trends, the growing demand for organic and sustainable products, and why speed and delivering service excellence in a complex market remain non-negotiables. She also shares why joining Kukla has been a game-changer in her career and how staying focused on client success is at the heart of everything she does.
How’s your day going?
Fantastic, thanks for asking. How are you?
You only joined Kukla in January this year. How are you settling in?
Complete honesty – I am loving it, it’s like coming home, everyone understands drinks logistics. It is exciting to be part of such a close and supportive team. Being in the drinks industry as long as I have, there are always certain names that pop up, yours, Steve’s, Lynda’s (Managing Director Steve Wood, Commercial Director Lynda Simms) and finally, we’re all on the same team!
Could you briefly explain your role to our readers?
As Trade Development Manager, I am looking to optimise current ways of working. Increasing efficiency, decreasing transit times and offering consistent and reliable services for all our customers, with customer satisfaction being the focus. I am analysing agents’ performance and communications to ensure all parties collaborate effectively. I am also looking to introduce further new services.
“Consumers seem to be showing more interest in ‘non-traditional’ wine countries, which is ironic given these countries have been producing wine for longer than ‘old world wine’ countries.”
In this issue of Kukla News, we’re looking at the wine-producing countries from which we offer services and that seem to be making a greater impact than ever on the current UK market. It was noticed how many more of these were on show at this year’s London Wine Fair (e.g. Georgia, Moldova, Macedonia and Greece. Which of these, or any others, have seen noticeable growth in volume this year?
The demographic is certainly shifting with Georgia, Greece, Macedonia and Moldova becoming more prevalent over the last quarter, and we are offering these as FTL/FCL and groupage service. Consumers seem to be showing more interest in “non-traditional” wine countries, which is ironic given these countries have been producing wine for longer than “old world wine” countries.
There is an increase in demand for sustainable and organic wines alongside low and non-alcoholic wines. Consumers are looking at carbon footprint and experimental wines. They are trying new drinks with background stories. The increase in tourism, social media, and the focus on quality over quantity appear to be contributing to the sales uplift in these regions.
“Organic wine imports have increased, and I would suggest people familiarise with the COI procedures, forms, costs and what to expect when landing in the UK.”
There are different shipping documents required from non-EU countries. What specific challenges does this bring, and what advice would you give to our readers who are considering direct import from them?
There is no short answer to this. It’s all dependent on what the purchasing terms are, what the product is, where it is shipping from, how it is stored in the country, what customs capabilities the supplier has and how the consignee intends to land. I would ask people to check before ordering if unsure or unfamiliar, as there can be unexpected costs depending on the suppliers’ capabilities with export documentation.
Organic wine imports have increased, and I would suggest people familiarise themselves with the COI procedures, forms and costs and what to expect when landing in the UK. Currently, EU suppliers do not need COI forms completed/Port Health notification prior to arrival. However, Georgia, Macedonia and Moldova, for example, are not in the EU. They must complete COI documents.
If in doubt, ask. We are always happy to offer advice.
What are the typical lead times for both groupage and full-load services from Eastern Europe?
Again, not a short answer. Europe spans three time zones and 44-50 countries (depending on who you ask), both in and outside of EU control. Whilst we can collect from Hungary week 1 for delivery week 2, it can take over a week for groupage from Moldova or Georgia to reach our central European hub, involving several document changes before we can look to import to the UK.
“There has been a healthy increase in the export market to Japan, South Korea, as well as Singapore, Hong Kong and China.“
Turning to deep-sea shipping, another two countries well represented at the LWF were Japan and China. Whilst interest in sake in the UK is nothing new and has been widely celebrated and promoted for a number of years, would you say there is now a more regular need for service options from the Far East?
It is not just the import market from Far East/Asia, there has been a healthy increase in the export market to Japan, South Korea, as well as Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Whilst Hong Kong and Singapore have always been major markets for fine and investment wines, sparkling wine exports to Japan have seen exceptional growth. In contrast, South Korea wants British Beer, India and the Asia-Pacific region’s Scottish Whisky. We can facilitate FCL/LCL and Air shipments to these destinations, cased and bulk.
“Imports from Mexico have always been slower than those from Chile and Argentina.”
And turning to the West, Mexico is another region from which we offer services to meet demand for specialist shipping and customs requirements for importing tequila and mezcal. What specific challenges are there for the import of these and similar spirits?
The most significant challenge is how people are purchasing LCL. I would always suggest FOB never EXW or FCA. If you can ensure FOB to nominated CFS 90% of the issues are eradicated. There can be anything between 5 and 10 days’ lead time for collections (even FCL). Understanding that MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) should always be with a spirit’s shipments (despite them being Non Haz if bottles >60% abv – see SP 145) via air + sea. Ensuring all documents are in place prior to collection (where possible), you can never be too prepared. Imports from Mexico have always been slower than those from Chile and Argentina.
“We never lose focus that we must always strive to provide the best service possible for every client on every job.”
With Kukla’s ongoing commitment to a constantly evolving service offering to meet client requirements, the need for adaptability arises in order to cover a greater demand for shipping routings and trade lanes. How are we supporting you in your role to enable advancing our services from a wider range of wine-producing countries?
Time. I’m being given the time to consider, review, analyse and target key areas where we need to focus and then more time to develop and bring these services online. Time for test runs, time to educate and demonstrate the services to my colleagues on operations. Time for them to adjust to new ways of working.
Too many people rush headlong into situations that result in costing not just financially, but also commercially. People often forget that without the customer, you have nothing. We never lose focus that we must always strive to provide the best service possible for every client on every job. However, this is logistics; we do not have rose-tinted glasses. Sometimes shipments go awry; it’s how you deal with them. That is the real stress test.
“I want to be part of this. Not many people can honestly say it really is a pleasure coming to work every day.”
Finally, what would you say is your greatest quality that gives you interest and drive for developing an even greater range of services than Kukla already offers?
I cannot live in a world of monotony; I continually seek new challenges. My logistics background is opposite to that of the business leaders; however, our combined knowledge and skill sets have merged seamlessly. Where we are positioned in the market, the leadership in place, and the direction the company is being steered genuinely excites me. There is so much potential for growth and expansion, and I want to be part of this. Not many people can honestly say it really is a pleasure coming to work every day.
Thank you, Emma, for talking with Kukla News. We are certain that our clients will find this extremely useful.
Chris Porter