Guala Closures to Build New Plant to Serve Whisky Industry

Guala Closures to Build New Plant to Serve Whisky Industry

The business of producing bottle caps and closures for alcoholic beverages is one of those specialized corners of the manufacturing world that few people notice.guala closure But the events triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war have brought attention to it -- and to one of its major players, Italian closures specialist Guala Closures Group. The firm has been given planning approval for a new 20,500m2 plant in Gartcosh, Scotland, to serve the closure needs of the whisky industry. The plant will debut operations in January 2024 and will be the largest of Guala's 30 production plants worldwide.

The investment will help the company strengthen its luxury closures business, which generated about half of its 2020 consolidated sales of EUR603.guala closure 8 million and adjusted gross operating profit of EUR104.2 million. It also will support its growth strategy in the global beverage market, which is expected to grow at a rate of 3-5% per annum.

As the industry faces rising raw material costs and shortages of key materials, such as aluminium and plastic resin, the increased investment will enable Guala to increase capacity and boost productivity.guala closure It will be able to produce more closures than the average of its existing 30 production plants, helping it to better respond to demand and price increases in the global beverage markets.

Another key element of the planned investment is the integration of NFC (near field communication) smart closure technology into its product portfolio. This technology enables brands to connect with consumers through a range of NFC-enabled digital engagement programs, such as interactive product stories and the ability for consumers to authenticate the genuine provenance of their purchase via a mobile app.

NFC-enabled closures can be activated by scanning a mobile phone or other NFC device against a special reader, which is located on the cap. The resulting digital signal provides verification of the authenticity of the product and, in the case of spirits, its origin. This information can then be displayed to the consumer on a smartphone or other NFC-enabled device, giving the customer added confidence that they have purchased a genuine, high-quality product.

The closures are produced using a variety of technologies, including tampoprint, hot foil, offset and relief or negative embossing to enhance brand identity. The products are available in a wide range of colours, shapes, sizes and materials, from the most classic to the most innovative designs.

Guala Closures is based in Milan, Italy and employs more than 4,850 people globally. It operates 30 production facilities on five continents and sells its products in more than 100 countries. In July, it announced that it had acquired Labrenta to boost its presence in the luxury closures sector. The acquisition is expected to generate significant synergies in both industrial and commercial terms, as well as provide important opportunities for innovation and the development of a strong presence in the global market. The acquisition is expected to be completed in September, after which the current chairman of Guala Closures will remain as CEO and Mauro Caneschi will become deputy chief executive officer.

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