GLENCAIRN Crystal has unveiled plans to grow staff numbers by 20 per cent after it achieved another big increase in sales of products like decanters amid strong demand for whisky overseas.

The East Kilbride-based firm said sales increased by 25 per cent annually in the four months to August with exports leading the way.

Directors highlighted the importance of new contracts in the whisky and bourbon markets in the USA.

These provided further evidence of how Glencairn has been able to capitalise on the booming popularity of Scotch in overseas markets.

Owned by the Davidson family, Glencairn supplies a range of high end decanters that are used by firms to package premium products such as aged single malts.

Director Scott Davidson said the acquisition of the rival Burns Crystal business in January had allowed Glencairn to support the demand for luxury products in the international drinks industry.

The company has also won increased corporate business in markets such as Asia, where it has more than 1,000 customers.

Mr Davidson said Glencairn plans to add another 10 staff over the next two years and build its senior management team to develop the company and its international activities. It has 55 employees currently.

The latest success had put the company on course to better the strong performance it achieved in the financial year to April, when sales rose 14 per cent on the preceding period, to £6.7m. Glencairn said profits increased in line with sales.

The business was founded by Mr Davidson’s father, Raymond, in 1981. He left the former Edinburgh Crystal business to focus on the corporate market because he thought there was a limited future for the retail trade.