Guala Closures, a global leader in premium and innovative food and drink packaging solutions, has officially opened its state-of-the-art production facility in Gartcosh, Scotland. This investment, exceeding €60 million, underscores Guala Closures’ commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability in the region. The facility, which spans approximately 20,000 sqm, is anticipated to create over 300 skilled jobs, thereby enhancing the company’s industrial presence in the UK and positively impacting the local economy.
Strategically located in Scotland’s prestigious whisky region, the Gartcosh facility is well-positioned to cater to both major global brands and smaller producers. With over 100 distilleries already supplied from this site, Guala Closures is further intertwined with one of the UK’s most iconic industries—an industry that generated nearly €7.9 billion in total value in 2024, including €6.2 billion in exports. This increased proximity will bolster Guala Closures’ role in maintaining the excellence, heritage, and global reputation of Scotch whisky.
In 2021, Guala Closures was acquired by an independently managed investment subsidiary of Investindustrial VII L.P., a leading European investment and advisory group. Investindustrial’s previous and current investments in the UK include notable companies such as Morgan Motor Company, Oka, and Mountain Warehouse. Additionally, their international portfolio features brands like Ducati and Zegna.
Guala Closures’ investment represents one of the largest by an Italian business in the UK and includes a grant of over €3.5 million from Scottish Enterprise, highlighting the project’s significance on both national and international levels. The inauguration ceremony attracted a distinguished group of attendees, including Ivan McKee, Scottish Minister for Public Finance; Veronica Ferrucci, Consul General of Italy in Edinburgh; as well as other officials. The event was hosted by Gabriele Del Torchio and Andrea Lodetti, Chairman and CEO of Guala Closures, respectively.
The new facility showcases cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, including Electro Magnetic Forming (EMF)—a patented process developed entirely by Guala Closures—as well as robotic systems and flexible automation. These technologies enable the production of unique features, such as tamper-evident seals that enhance brand differentiation, product safety, and bottling efficiency.
Sustainability remains a core focus of this project from its inception. The plant boasts 2.4 MW of solar panels installed on its rooftop, alongside advanced insulation and airtightness designed to optimize energy performance. The site also features a symphonic drainage system with sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) and attenuation tanks, ensuring responsible water management practices. The internal layout minimizes material movement and forklift traffic, and all lighting—indoors and outdoors—utilizes energy-efficient LED technology with motion sensors and timers in low-traffic areas.
In addition to manufacturing capabilities, the Gartcosh site hosts a specialized R&D hub focused on high-end closures. The UK team, experts in recycled and specialty polymers, collaborates closely with premium spirits brands on tailored product development. This local innovation capability is vital for helping clients stay competitive in a market increasingly driven by quality, design, and sustainability.
With 37 production sites and 7 R&D centres worldwide, the Gartcosh facility further enhances Guala Closures’ global industrial footprint, reinforcing its mission to convert market needs into innovative, high-performing, and sustainable design-driven solutions.
“The opening of our Gartcosh facility is more than just an inauguration – it’s a bold statement of our vision for the future,” said Andrea Lodetti, 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.”
“Guala Closures’ new €60 million-plus investment shows real confidence in Scotland as a place for business and innovation, further illuminating Scotland’s position as a key destination for inward investment among global investors,” Ivan McKee, Scottish Minister for Public Finance, said. The company is critical to the whisky industry here in Scotland. This site alone supports more than 300 high-quality jobs and is central to the wider regeneration of the Gartcosh area.”
“The investment is one of the largest made by an Italian business in the UK,” noted Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Enterprise. “It includes a grant of over €3.5 million from Scottish Enterprise, which approved the sale of land at Gartcosh Business Interchange to Guala for this development, underscoring the project’s significance on both national and international levels.”
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