ENTERPRISE Minister Fergus Ewing has declared that ambitious companies like Glasgow printer John Watson & Co are the key to building sustainable Scottish economic growth, following a visit to its premises to view a multimillion-pound label printing press.
Company chairman John Watson, who prints millions of labels per week for Scotch whisky manufacturers and has realigned his business following the loss of work he did for electronics companies in decades past, decided to invest millions of pounds in the state-of-the-art press in the face of tough conditions in the printing sector and broader economy. This has enabled him to provide self- adhesive as well as wet-glue labels for spirits bottles.
He ended a relationship with Royal Bank of Scotland dating back more than 185 years because his company was unable to secure funding for his investment plans from the state-backed institution. He turned ultimately to Clydesdale Bank.
Mr Ewing, who cut the ribbon at the official launch of the Swiss-built press, said: "John Watson & Company works with some prestigious brands, and it has been interesting to see the amount of highly-technical equipment the company has invested in over the years."
He said it had been particularly interesting to see the firm's re-branding division, and the anti-counterfeiting measures it employs to avoid "passing-off" in the market-place.
Mr Ewing declared: "Ambitious companies like John Watson are key to building sustainable economic growth for Scotland, and I wish them the best of luck as they build on their success and take forward ambitious plans to expand their operations."
John Watson & Co prints about 20 million labels per week for the drinks industry, notably for Scotch whisky bottles. Its customers include Pernod Ricard, Whyte & Mackay, Wm Grant, and Morrison Bowmore.
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