A £36m 'superfactory' should help secure the Scottish future of a company crucial to the whisky industry.
The investment includes a £3.3m grant from Scottish Enterprise and will see Guala Closures continue its operations, after planning was approved for a new facility in Gartcosh, Lanarkshire.
The announcement safeguards the jobs of more than 400 employees currently at the company’s existing sites in Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire, and two sites at Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, which will now be merged at the new factory.
The Italian company is the only manufacturer of closures to the whisky industry in Scotland and produces bottle pouring mechanisms for customers including Diageo, Chivas, Edrington and William Grant & Sons.
Ken Moran, its general manager for Scotland, said: “This investment confirms the group’s commitment to developing one of its largest markets and underlines our determination to support customers, employees, suppliers and the Scottish economy.
“The new plant will benefit from investment in innovative technology, enhancing productivity, process capability, closure functionality - and importantly - to contribute to the delivery of the group’s sustainability strategy and core objectives.”
Guala Closures operates in five continents through 30 production plants, generating a sales revenue of around €600m.
Scottish Enterprise approved the sale of land at Gartcosh Business Interchange to Guala for the development. The 220,000 sq ft factory will be built on a 15 acre site.
It will be one of Guala's largest sites, allowing the group to increase capacity, boost productivity and create its own research and development lab space.
Construction is due to start next month and is expected to be completed by the end of December 2023, with operations due to begin from January 2024.
Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “Guala are critical to the whisky industry here in Scotland, this investment in particular will safeguard 400 jobs in the industry as well as have a positive impact on the Scotch Whisky supply chain in Scotland.
“Latest exports of whisky, which now exceed pre-pandemic levels, underline the importance of the whisky sector’s contribution to the economy, providing over £5.5bn in gross value added to the economy and employing 11,000 people in Scotland.”
Jane Martin, managing director of innovation and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “The whisky industry continues to be of real importance to Scotland’s economy and worldwide heritage.
“Guala’s confidence in investing here shows that it is a crucial sector and one that we in Scottish Enterprise are proud to continue to support.”
Councillor Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, added: “Despite the current financial climate and volatile market, inward investment has continued to strengthen in North Lanarkshire.
“Guala Closures is a multi-million pound international business that understands the enormous benefits of relocating its Scottish arm to Gartcosh Business Interchange.
“The 220,000 sq ft manufacturing plant on the 14 acre site will be a huge boost to the area, bringing a skilled workforce and state-of-the-art technology and innovation that underlines its commitment to the industry and the region.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
