The Story of Forged – A New Entrant in Fiji’s Drink Scene
As a heavily tourist-based economy, Fiji is skewed towards international liquor brands in resorts, hospitality, and retail stores.
Pacific Island Beverages saw an opportunity for something new and better. The brainchild of two colleagues who, having previously worked together, set out to develop a locally made and locally owned product.
Establishing the business from scratch, is not for the faint-hearted. Enlisting Onfire Design to help guide the development, the project started to take shape. Naming, identity design and marketing were completed in tandem with the physical build of the premises in Nadi. The owners recognised that the first brand and range of products from the fledgling business needed to establish a presence in local retail.
With a list of NPD planned out, the first one to hit the market was a range of RTD beverages.
The range consists of dark and light cocktails formulated with a distinct Fijian flair. In large 500ml cans, perfect for sharing, the classic mixes called out for a strong identity. Inspired by the new business’s founding partners, friends first – and Fiji’s deep-rooted culture of kinship – the name FORGED was given the go-ahead.
Onfire Creative Director, Matt Grantham recalls, “the name also speaks to strength, loyalty, and something made to last. The oversized cans selected were the result of an investigation into how these drinks are consumed and shared among friends and family, where one can might be enjoyed by a group.”
While a forge is best known as somewhere a blacksmith works, the parallels with packaging design aren’t lost on Grantham, “Getting the best result not only requires a degree of skill, but also extreme focus - sometimes combined with a bit of blood, sweat and tears. And you have to come up with the goods when the heat is on.”
Visually, the brand uses dark colour palettes and craft cues but adds a modern twist with oversized typography and strong use of pop colours. The FORGED wordmark is bold, heavy, and proud with soft serifs that nod to knowledge and craft. Retail boxes amplify this language, using typography size and colour contrast to maximise impact.
Launched with four bold flavours, FORGED has rapidly carved out a place in Fiji’s competitive RTD market. In just a short time, it’s secured distribution in all major supermarkets nationwide and 80% of liquor outlets, offering consumers a proud local alternative to the global heavyweights. With strong retail momentum, the brand is now turning its attention to making inroads into the hospitality sector.
"Working with Onfire Design has been an exceptional journey. Their creativity, strategic vision, and design expertise have been pivotal in shaping FORGED into the success story it is today,” added Pacific Island Beverages.
To forge ahead with Onfire Design, visit weareonfire.co.nz or contact its Founder, Sam Allan, on 09 480 2036.
