Paragon Trading Asia Ltd

Outstanding Enterprises

2

WORLD-CLASS BEVERAGES WITH PARAGON TRADING ASIA

As Asia’s new champion of beverages, Paragon Trading Asia has consistently produced high quality beverages, leveraging this strength with the scarcity of their wines and spirits as well as the collectability of their vintage liquor.

Christopher Liang, CEO and Chairman of Paragon Trading Asia, used his skills and experience to turn the brand into an outstanding one, winning the Outstanding Beverage Distributor Award at this year’s High Flyers Awards presented by Hong Kong Business.

The force behind the success

Leaning on his background as a professional investor, certified asset manager and serial entrepreneur, Christopher received top-level training in venture capital financing and private equity fund management prior to starting Paragon Trading Asia.

After taking a look at the financial performance of the drinks business as a whole, his position as a core shareholder of the company’s underlying strategic investments in wine and spirits gave him enough confidence to push the company into establishing their own import and distribution company focusing on world-class beverages. Having the upstream support of vineyards and distilleries has also secured this decision as the right one.

Ever since the company was established, Christopher has strived to place the company’s products on the top shelf. Thanks to the products’ exceptional taste and quality, they have been recognised and lauded with numerous accolades from international bodies and media companies.

“We genuinely believe that a focus on quality production is an outstanding characteristic; especially as a Hong Kong business”, remarked Christopher, adding that he seeks to redefine boutique, exquisite, and outstanding with his range of niche but finely-curated product offerings. He has emphasised that their lesser-known yet incredibly tasteful product range packs great value for its consumers.

The company’s operational headquarters is currently located in Hong Kong, an internationally recognised financial centre, lending it an advantage in reaching a wider market as Hong Kong’s status as a freeport and a longterm member of the APEC pool allows its alcohol beverages business to reach higher.

Beverages for any occasion, for any person

Paragon Trading Asia produces and distributes a wide variety of beverages, but the most notable ones in their eclectic range are the Gladstone Wines, Silkie Whisky, and Phenomenal Bewater, which have all enjoyed continued market success and recognition in winning honours.

Gladstone wines come from their vineyard located in the Wairarapa wine region in New Zealand, while the Silkie Whisky hails from its own distillery at Carrick, Ireland. Phenomenal Bewater is the company’s Vietnam-based premium water brand. Paragon Trading Asia continues to seek opportunities and innovations in redefining luxury the Paragon way.

Starting with their Gladstone Vineyard wines, the product range contains five offerings, each with their own distinct flavour profile that seeks to set itself apart from other wines in the market. Despite being a young vinery by industry standards, being established only in 1986, Gladstone Vineyard

PHILOSOPHY

Established in 2021, Paragon Trading Asia stands on four pillars that most would attribute to wealth: wine, water, whisky, watches, in all of which the company consciously applies sustainability practices

FAST FACTS

• Paragon Trading ships wines overseas in 80% recycled, lightweight bottles which reduces the amount of fuel during transport • Paragon Trading’s product, an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic-bottled water, beWater™, was created to help eliminate single-use plastics and reduce the impact of table water • Its Gladstone Vineyard wines garnered a minimum of 90 points from wine experts Rebecca Gibbs and Robert Parker

This page: The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey, The Legendary Dark Silkie Whiskey, The Legendary Red Silkie Whiskey, Irish Maritime Gin, The International Wine & Spirit Competition Certificate

Opposite page: Christopher Liang, CEO, Paragon Trading Asia

produces some of the best wines from New Zealand.

Wines such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris show the quality and dedication that Christopher has put into perfecting their products. Other wines include Viognier, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and the Dakins Road Pinot Noir, amongst many more.

The Silkie Whisky line distinguishes itself with its small releases finished in different casks that make up its unique flavour profile, as offerings such as The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey, Dark Silkie Whiskey, and Red Silkie Whiskey pay homage to the county of Donegal’s rich folklore and culture.

Gin and Vodka are also available, coming in with the Irish Maritime Gin, Santa Ana Armada Strength Gin, and the Assaranca Vodka.

Paragon’s wines and spirits are produced in small amounts, resulting in uncompromised quality that has garnered exceptional quality ratings, such as Gladstone Vineyard’s minimum of 90 points from wine experts Rebecca Gibbs and Robert Parker.

“Quality creations is at the Heart and Soul of our organisation”, commented Christopher,

Phenomenal Bewater has quickly become recognised as the official water of the Vietnam government. Christopher states that it is also one of the best waters in ASEAN due to both its intrinsic quality as well as our environmental consciousness.

As Paragon Trading Asia has delved into ESG initiatives, Phenomenal Bewater became the company’s flagship product when it comes to showing their capability in sustainability. In an effort to reduce the utilisation of singleuse plastics, Phenomenal Bewater comes in aluminium cans which have been designed to be slightly thinner and sleeker than traditional cans, easing up the process of recycling and causing less burden during transport.

The company also boasts that they ship wines overseas in 80% recycled, lightweight bottles, which reduce the amount of fuel used during transport, and advocates for organic winemaking and organic wine packaging with the use of 100% organic cork and recyclable or biodegradable glass.

“We initiated a very successful can collection and recycling programmes with our star clients including the Accor Group, the Intercontinental Hotels Group, and New World Hotels,” added Christopher, highlighting the company’s efforts in pushing for more sustainable practices in the beverage sector.

Present and future opportunities for Paragon

A lot has happened within the past two years, with the COVID outbreak disrupting many industries and supply chains that have caused issues for companies across sectors, and Paragon has not been exempt from this.

“Frankly speaking, operations have been tough during the past two years, especially for the F&B sector. However, we have learned to adapt by using technology such as video interfacing, online purchase, and inventory management systems, and are even working on an e-commerce platform,” stated Christopher, adding that the recession on overall restrictions on gatherings and dining in Hong Kong have given them more breathing room.

As a relatively new entrant into the beverage market, Paragon aims to increase their network of sales and distribution point within the foreseeable future, allowing more consumers to have access to their product offerings. The company also aims to match consumer expectations and continue their operations and expansion as a top-level F&B brand in Hong Kong.