The Edrington Group, involved in blending, bottling, distributing and marketing of Scotch whiskies, plans to establish three new companies in its key export markets with an investment of £10m.

The company, known for making Scotch whiskies, including The Macallan, The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Highland Park, plans new subsidiaries in the US, south-east Asia and the Middle East.

In the US, the group is now looking at various options for its portfolio after the termination of its long-standing collaboration with Rémy Cointreau, effective 31 March 2014.

Rémy Cointreau recently added a single malt entry of its own Bruichladdich.

The Glasgow-based firm has a regional office in New York and now intends to open in four cities, besides expanding in New York.

In its interim statement in November 2012 Edrington reported underlying brand growth of 7%, reflecting strong performances in North America and Asia, and weaker results in economically-challenged southern Europe.

Meanwhile, the company has appointed Scott McCroskie to its main board as group commercial director.

McCroskie joined Edrington in 2009 from Maxxium UK, the sales and distribution joint venture between Edrington and Beam Global.

Initially handling the brands finance portfolio, he became commercial director in 2011, with responsibility for Europe, Asia, Middle East, India and Africa.

The company has recently opened an office in Johannesburg to develop sub-Saharan Africa, and signed partnerships with Les Grands Chais de France and Coca Cola Hellenic (CCH) to open up north Africa and eastern Europe respectively.