Michael Erceg

Michael Anthony Erceg (26 March 1956 – 4 November 2005) was an Auckland businessman who was the founder of Independent Liquor which was New Zealand’s largest independently owned liquor distributor. Independent Liquor are known predominately for their Ready to Drink (RTD) brands such as KGB, Woodstock and Vodka Cruisers.[1]

He was one of the New Zealand’s wealthiest individuals at the time of his death in 2005. Subsequently, on his death his wife, Lynnette Erceg and family inherited this wealth.[2]

Early life

Erceg was born in West Auckland in to a Croatian winemaking family who operated Pacific vineyard on McLeod Road in Te Atatu South. He attended Kelston Boys High School. Erceg was a top pupil, who skipped sixth form and was awarded Dux of Kelston Boys High School in 1972. He earned his PhD nine years later, from the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to teach maths at university level.[3]

Business career

Erceg, who had completed his PhD in mathematics at the University of California, was set on an academic career with a position as a junior professor. However, he decided to return home to help with his ailing father’s West Auckland-based family wine business.[4]

After a family disagreement over the direction of the wine company, he decided to go into business for himself to form Calypso Beverage Company Ltd in 1987. This business evolved to Independent Liquor.[4]

The business success relied upon alternative marketing strategies to combat the larger players in the NZ alcohol industry. Part of these tactics were to incentivise their retail customers, helping them with increased margins the big companies wouldn’t provide.[4]

Independent Liquor would quickly rise to the 3rd largest liquor distributor in New Zealand and had a 65% share of the market for RTD’s in 2005. At that time, Independent Liquor were also exporting to 70 countries around the world.[3]

Death

He was killed in November 2005 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed south of Auckland near Raglan. On board was Grolsch International export director Guus Klatte, who had flown from Amsterdam to NZ to discuss a lucrative business deal with Erceg and was also killed. The wreckage of the helicopter was not found until two weeks after the crash.[1][5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Millionaire's body found in wreckage – National – NZ Herald News". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "NBR rich list: Burger baron dining at top table – Business – NZ Herald News". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Missing millionaire – the reclusive wunderkind – National – NZ Herald News". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "A Kiwi Success Story | Independent Liquor". independentliquor.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "Crash Claims Liquor Chiefs – News, Obituaries, Society – NZEDGE". nzedge.com. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
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