Driving success at Diageo China’s first Single Malt Distillery, YunTuo: A conversation with Site Head, Edison.

Tell us about your career journey at Diageo so far.

After completing my studies in Food Technology in Vancouver, Canada, I returned to Asia in 2008 and joined Diageo's Quality team in Taiwan. Over the years, I gained invaluable experience, especially during Taiwan's period of rapid market growth.

Five years later, an exciting opportunity arose at our baijiu brand, Shui Jing Fang. The brand was in a period of change which presented challenges, but as someone in the quality department, it would give me the opportunity to be close to the front line and learn from the production section. So despite the challenges, I eagerly accepted the position.

After arriving at Shui Jing Fang, through the team’s joint efforts, we turned the brand around within a year, allowing Shui Jing Fang to become an important contributor to Diageo's revenue in the Asia-Pacific region.

My journey in Shui Jing Fang has been diverse. From the quality department, I transitioned to the production department, where I led production line operations. Working closely with the marketing team, we developed 70 to 80 new products annually, allowing me to understand consumer preferences and develop a business mindset.

My experience and dedication led me to the Site Head role for our YunTuo Distillery. This role offered me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of whisky, build a team from scratch, and produce China's first local whisky. It's a chance to leave a lasting legacy, and I couldn't be more excited.

Looking back on my 14 years at Diageo, each position brought me very different ideas and many different developments, allowing me to experiment, learn and grow in every experience, every day.

As the pioneer in China distillation, how have we gained experience through learning and innovation, both internally and externally?

First and foremost, true knowledge comes from practice. We actively engage with the local government and community to explore new models of cooperation. 
As Eryuan is a place without much industry or pollution, and relatively inexperienced terroirs, we became a benchmark for how foreign companies can interpret local regulations, conduct construction and production, protect the environment, and maintain a win-win situation with the residents. Diageo promises that every drop of water and every waste we discharge has been processed and implemented with environmental protection concepts to ensure 100% zero carbon emissions. At the same time, we also promise to actively participate in promoting local employment and tourism development. 
We hope that Chinese whisky can become bigger and stronger, and there is still a lot of room for development in this market. Externally, we learn from industry experts and participate in industry events to understand market trends and make informed decisions. 

What does an average day look like for you and what’s most exciting about your role as the Site Head?

Each day is filled with excitement and challenges. I start with a morning meeting to address pressing issues. Then, I conduct rounds in the factory, ensuring everything is running smoothly. Throughout the day, I make crucial decisions as well as detailed things, from project direction discussions with headquarters, and government communications, to arrangements for power cuts and cask arrivals.

What excites me most is the opportunity to witness and shape the development of Chinese whisky. As Diageo's first whisky distillery in China, I'll oversee the production from the first drop and witness its evolution over the years. I'm also thrilled about the potential of experimenting with new casks and ingredients.

This role allows me to leave a legacy, not only in the whisky industry but also in the local community. Through the distillery, we contribute to local employment, economic growth, and environmental protection.