Guala Closures inaugurated its new production facility in Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire earlier this year folllowing an investment in excess €60 million. CEO Andrea Lodetti recently answered Packaging Scotland’s questions about the firm’s ambitious plans for the site.
Q) What prompted the decision to open a new production facility in Gartcosh?
A) We began the project in 2022 and completed it in April 2025, with the goal of reinforcing our long-term commitment to the UK market and, in particular, to Scotland’s globally renowned whisky industry. By locating in the heart of the whisky region, we are able to strengthen relationships with our customers and provide more efficient, responsive support, already supplying 100 distilleries.
The opening of our new facility in Gartcosh represents a strategic investment of more than €60 million – one of the largest ever made by an Italian company in the UK.
Q) What impact do you expect the site to have on the Guala business and the local community?
A) The new facility strengthens our overall industrial footprint in the UK, underscoring our long-term commitment to the market. The project was supported by Scottish Enterprise with a contribution of over €3.5 million, reflecting its importance for both the local and national economy.
This investment reinforces our presence in one of the UK’s most iconic and economically significant sectors, which generated almost €7.9 billion in 2024, including €6.2 billion from exports.
Q) What benefits will the facility have for Scotland’s spirits and whisky brands?
A) The new site provides access to innovative, premium and sustainable closures produced locally. Our advanced technologies support brand differentiation, enhance product security and ensure greater efficiency.
Importantly, the facility also includes a dedicated R&D centre for high-end closures, allowing us to collaborate even more closely with brands to co-develop bespoke, tailor-made solutions.
Q) What can you tell us about the technologies and equipment located at the site?
A) The facility integrates some of the most advanced technologies available in closure production. This includes our proprietary Electro Magnetic Forming (EMF) process, developed and patented entirely by Guala Closures. The site also features robotic systems and flexible automation – all of which allow us to deliver the highest standards of efficiency and security.
Q) What sustainability measures are incorporated?
A) Sustainability has been a guiding principle since the earliest stages of the project. The site features 2.4 MW of rooftop solar panels, advanced insulation and airtightness to optimise energy efficiency, and a sustainable urban drainage system with attenuation tanks for responsible water management.
Inside the plant, the layout was designed to minimise material handling and forklift traffic, while all lighting – indoor and outdoor – is energy-efficient LED with sensors and timers.
Q) What trends are you seeing in the whisky sector at the moment?
A) The whisky sector is undergoing strong premiumisation, with growing demand for high-quality, distinctive packaging that reflects brand identity. At the same time, sustainability is increasingly a priority, with more brands seeking recyclable materials and eco-friendly solutions.
There is also rising interest in closures that can guarantee authenticity and security, while innovation and personalisation remain key drivers of competitiveness in such a dynamic global market.
Q) How important is the Scottish market to the overall Guala Closures business and what can you tell us about your future expansion plans?
A) Scotland is a key global hub for whisky and spirits, and therefore an essential market for Guala Closures. The opening of the Gartcosh facility underlines our long-term commitment to the UK and to the whisky industry in particular. By combining production and R&D under one roof, we are now in an even stronger position to serve both local and international clients.
More broadly, our presence in Scotland complements our global network of 37 production plants and 7 R&D centres, and will continue to evolve in line with the growth of the industry.
