Guala Closures opens new plant in Scotland

Guala Closures has officially inaugurated its new state-of-the-art production facility in Gartcosh, Scotland. With its investment made exceeding €60 million, the company brings its long-term commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability to the region. The facility spans approximately 20,000 sqm and is expected to employ over 300 skilled professionals, reinforcing the company’s industrial presence in the UK.

Strategically located in the heart of Scotland’s renowned whisky region, the Gartcosh facility is uniquely positioned to serve both major global brands and smaller producers. With over 100 distilleries already being supplied from this site, Guala Closures is now even more integrated into one of the UK’s most iconic and economically important industries – an industry which generated nearly €7.9 billion in total value in 2024, including €6.2 billion in exports. Guala Closures’ increased proximity to the industry will serve to assist its role in maintaining the quality, heritage, and global reputation of Scotch whisky.

Guala Closures’ investment is one of the largest made by an Italian business in the UK and includes a grant of over €3.5 million from Scottish Enterprise, underlining the significance of the project at both a national and international level. “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 optimise operations and create tangible value, both for our customers and for our business,” explains Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Guala Closures.

The new facility incorporates cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, including Electro Magnetic Forming (EMF) – an innovative process whose application was entirely developed and patented by Guala Closures – along with robotic systems and flexible automation. These solutions enable the creation of unique and distinctive details, including tamper-evident seals, offering customers strong brand differentiation, enhanced product safety, and improved bottling efficiency.

Sustainability has been a core focus of the project from the outset. The plant features 2.4 MW of solar panels installed on its rooftop and advanced insulation and airtightness to optimise energy performance. The site also includes a symphonic drainage system with sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) and attenuation tanks beneath the car park, ensuring responsible water management. Internally, the plant layout has been designed to minimise material movement and forklift traffic, while all lighting – both indoor and outdoor – is energy-efficient LED, with motion sensors and timers in low-traffic areas.

In addition to manufacturing, the Gartcosh site hosts a specialised R&D hub focused on high-end closures. The UK team brings deep expertise in recycled and specialty polymers and works closely with premium spirits brands on bespoke product development. This local innovation capability plays a crucial role in helping clients remain competitive in a market increasingly driven by quality, design, and sustainability.