DESIGNER and manufacturer of rigid presentation boxes Blue Box Design has unveiled its new multi-million pound base in Stirling.
Blue Box Design, a subsidiary of Port Glasgow-based premium drinks industry supplier McLaren Packaging, specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke presentation boxes for Scotch whisky and luxury products.
Packaging Scotland was in attendance as the £3.2 million design and manufacturing facility was officially opened by Karen Betts, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, who described the new facility as “inspiring”.
Speaking at the event, Karen said, “It’s great to see McLaren Packaging, a Scottish-owned family company, doing to well. This is a big investment and a big statement of confidence in the future of your company and in the futures of everyone who works here.
“In doing so well, you are focusing on creating quality packaging products here in Scotland and working with your customers, particularly in the Scotch whisky industry.
“Blue Box Design has grown at more than 20% a year and output has trebled in the last five years. You are now producing very highly finished, beautiful packaging for premium Scotch whisky among other things.”
The new 20,000 sq. ft. facility at Broadleys Business Park will greatly improve Blue Box Design’s speed to market, said Duncan Robertson, director, “by reducing the packaging development cycle time from concept to delivery”.
“We see tremendous long-term value in a facility centrally located within Scotland, between Glasgow and Edinburgh, close to the major operations of the whisky and food industries,” Duncan added.
Donald McLaren, managing director, McLaren Packaging, commented, “Our decision to invest in this facility has been influenced by the continued success of the Scotch whisky industry globally and the demand for premium packaging produced sustainably.
“There is significant client interest for increasingly elaborate and bespoke packaging and this venture will enable us to deliver on this opportunity. We are proud to be a wholly independent Scottish manufacturer providing high quality products to both global and local clients.”
A full report on the new facility will feature in the January edition of Packaging Scotland.
