PRINTING firm John Watson and Company has been sold to Multi-Color Corporation in a multmillion pound deal.
The Glasgow-based printing business – still run by the family behind its formation in 1824 – completed the deal just six months after a proposed deal with Canadian group CCL was abandoned. A producer of labels for leading spirits brands, with a client list including Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Edrington, its acquisition by the Ohio-based group will facilitate the latter’s ongoing expansion programme.
The current Chairman John Watson (pictured, above) has been with the company for 48 years and began work in the company’s stationery shop in St Vincent Place before the business began its growth as a commercial label printer.
Nigel Vinecombe, CEO of Multi-Color Corporation, said: “We have always admired John Watson and Company and its world-class excellence particularly its expertise in delivering the finest quality labels for the global drinks industry and the scotch whisky industry in particular.
He added that the acquisition – and its associated expertise in wet glue labels, tube and box wraps – “dovetailed perfectly” with MCC’s existing Glasgow pressure-sensitive label business (formerly known as Labelgraphics).
John Watson said: “We are delighted to have concluded this deal with Multi-Color Corporation which will see Glasgow and Scotland continue as a centre of global excellence in label printing and packaging.” He added that the expertise of the 80-strong workforce had always been one of the company’s principal strengths.
