UNITED Closures and Plastics, which produces bottle-tops for the global spirits industry, plans to create up to 49 jobs at its plant at Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire through a multi-million-pound investment.
Taxpayer-backed Scottish Enterprise is backing the project, through which United Closures and Plastics (UCP) aims to develop its next generation of bottle and security closures for the global spirits industry, with a £1.5 million research and development grant.
The investment, which will boost UCP’s Bridge of Allan workforce to around 350, will be made over two years.
Scottish Enterprise said the new closures would help spirits brands to protect their products from the “growing global counterfeit trade in spirits which can lead to public health, reputational and financial risks”.
UCP has served global spirits producers for more than 70 years. It supplies a full range of closures, from aluminium screw-caps to high-security, anti-counterfeiting and tamper-evident fitments requiring precision assembly. Its products include non-refillable fitments.
UCP managing director David Richardson flagged support for the plans from Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown, the local MSP. Mr Brown meanwhile highlighted the potential for UCP to increase its exports.
Mr Richardson said: “This is a very exciting time for our business as we are using innovation in design and materials to protect our existing customers’ brands worldwide and grow our customer base globally. Working with Keith Brown, our local MSP who initially saw the potential in our intellectual property, and our Scottish Enterprise account team has helped reinforce and support our investment plans.”
Scottish Enterprise managing director Adrian Gillespie said: “UCP is showing how investing in R&D can open up exciting new international revenue streams.”
Mr Brown said: “It represents an excellent example of innovation oin the food and drink supply chain, and will hopefully lead to increased international sales.”
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