July 18, 2025 15:37

Guala Closures, the Italian producer of metal and plastic closures, yesterday inaugurated a new €60 million facility in Gartcosh, Scotland, to supply the local whisky industry with high-end products.

The investment—one of the largest ever made by an Italian company in the United Kingdom—was backed by a grant of more than €3.5 million from Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish government’s economic development agency.

Launched in November 2022 and completed in April 2025, the project has delivered a 20,000-square-meter plant employing more than 300 people. It deploys cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, including Electro Magnetic Forming (EMF) —developed and patented by Guala Closures—together with robotic systems and flexible automation.

“The opening of our Gartcosh facility is more than just an inauguration – it’s a bold statement of our vision for the future,” commented Andrea Lodetti (pictured), CEO of Guala Closures. “With this investment, we are strengthening our roots in a region that is globally iconic, reinforcing our commitment to the Scotch whisky industry, and setting a new benchmark in sustainable, high-performance packaging. The facility is designed for maximum efficiency and scalability, allowing us to optimize operations and create tangible value, both for our customers and for our business.”

The new plant is powered by 2.4 megawatts of rooftop solar panels and features high-efficiency insulation to enhance energy performance. A symphonic drainage system with sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) has been installed beneath the car park to ensure responsible water management.

In addition to production, the Gartcosh site hosts a research and development center dedicated to premium closures. The local team also boasts expertise in recycled and specialty polymers, enabling support for premium spirit brands in developing bespoke solutions.

Guala Closures manufactures closures for the spirits, wine, beverage, oil and condiment markets in 37 plants worldwide, employing more than 5,000 people. In 2024 the group posted revenue of more than €830 million. In April, the company opened a new plant in Nigeria to produce aluminum and plastic anti-counterfeit security closures for spirits bottles.

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