Hinba Coffee Roasters, the fast-growing, Scotland-based hospitality supply business, run by entrepreneur Fergus McCoss, has appointed Tom Lonergan as its newly created Head of Wholesale, a key strategic role that will drive the company’s expanding presence across Scotland’s hospitality and corporate sectors.

At just 24, Tom brings strong commercial experience from his time in the charity sector, where he managed an eight-strong sales team and delivered consistent business development success.

In his new role, he will lead Hinba’s drive to expand the number of cafés, restaurants, retailers, offices and leisure venues serving the company’s premium locally roasted coffee.

This week The Palais Bar in Duke Street in Glasgow has entered an agreement with Hinba. Existing customers include Skinny Coffee in Uddingston, Kilchrenan Inn near Oban, The Wee Happy Health Club, and Balvicar Stores, both in Oban.

Tom said: “I’m thrilled to join a business I have known and admired for years. Fergus and I are long-time friends and I’ve always been fascinated by both coffee and the hospitality industry.

There is huge potential in the wholesale market right now. Even though there’s a lot of competition, many of the bigger brands are more expensive and far less fast on their feet than Hinba.

And because our beans are of such high quality and we’re small enough always to react quickly to changing customer demands, we can offer something the market is crying out for.”

He added: “We’re seeing a real lifestyle shift towards high-quality coffee across Scotland, especially among young people. From convenience stores and petrol stations to golf clubs and caravan parks, so many outlets are missing out on the opportunity to serve customers genuinely great coffee.

We’re already close to signing-up with a substantial cash-and-carry partner for January, which, we believe, would give us an incredible springboard for growth.”

Hinba’s best-selling Ziques Blend, a premium roast crafted from 60% Brazilian, 20% Guatemalan, and 20% Colombian beans, is roasted at a specialised facility in Argyll, and is already a favourite across the wider Hinba hospitality group, as well as in a growing number of independent restaurants and coffee shops throughout west central Scotland.

Fergus McCoss, owner of Hinba Coffee Roasters and Hinba Group, said: “Tom’s appointment will strengthen a major growth pillar for the business.

He has hit the ground running, understands the market and can see that while there are big players out there, many of them are charging more for coffee that is not as fresh, is not as flexible and is not as good as the product we are producing in Oban.

We’re exceptionally quick to adapt to what customers want, and with Tom driving wholesale, I’m confident we’ll grow quickly and get our Ziques Blend into the hands of many more people across Scotland.”

Fergus, who also owns the restaurant at 88 Dumbarton Road, formerly known as Two Fat Ladies, recently relaunched Ziques in Glasgow with a fresh Spanish-inspired sharing plates menu, believes wholesale growth will support Hinba’s mission to elevate peoples’ regular coffee experiences throughout Scotland.