Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, has officially opened Compack Cartons’ new packaging operation in Livingston following a £13.5 million investment by Port Glasgow-based McLaren Packaging.
The investment, which has received grant support from Scottish Enterprise, will create 26 new jobs and safeguard 59 existing jobs over a two year period.
It has also seen an upgrade to Compack’s capabilities in Houston Industrial Estate, including the purchase and refurbishment of an existing 66,000 sq ft unit.
The firm designs and manufactures carton packaging for brands in the food and drink, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. All its products are manufactured from 100 per cent recyclable materials.
Compack Managing Director Steve Railton said: “The larger production facility and industry leading machinery gives Compack the capability to better serve the needs and growth aspirations of our key customers responsibly. Our goal is to have the most energy efficient, sustainable facility in the UK.
“Our new facility expands our production capacity significantly, enables us to attract and retain highly skilled staff and create new skilled jobs in central Scotland for young people.”
Donald McLaren, Managing Director, McLaren Packaging, added: “The investment in Compack demonstrates the importance of our Livingston operation and our long-term commitment to the future of premium and luxury packaging produced in Scotland.
“We foresee significant opportunity for locally sourced packaging and this expansion will allow us to offer a comprehensive portfolio of eco-conscious packs to the market.”
Wellbeing Economy Secretary, Neil Gray MSP, said: “I was delighted to be able to visit Compack Cartons’ new facility and see how Scottish Enterprise grant support for the investment will allow the company to expand its operations and workforce, helping us strive toward our ambition of becoming the home of low carbon manufacturing innovation.
“Not only will this project create 26 new skilled jobs, through the company’s sustainable practices, it will help us in our aim to reach net-zero by 2045 and create a wellbeing economy.”
Founded in 1979, McLaren Packaging manufactures a wide range of paper-based packaging for the drinks and Scotch whisky sectors and operates six factories in central Scotland.
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