Swedish giant eyes whisky work after Glasgow takeover

Swedish printing group Elanders has bought a specialist Glasgow firm in an attempt to strengthen its position in the Scottish whisky industry.

Elanders has acquired label printing company McNaughtan’s Printers, which has a particular focus on the whisky trade and works with a number of distilleries. The Swedish firm said that the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, was a strategic move.

A spokesman said: “For many producers, their label is a crucial part of packaging and therefore labels and packaging are normally purchased from the same source.

“This means that with this acquisition Elanders broadens its offer in packaging and gains new customers in the growing whisky trade in Scotland.”

During the 2011-12 financial year, McNaughtan’s had net sales of about 
£2 million. It employs 14 staff.

Elanders said the firm was expected to make a positive contribution to its results in 2013. Elanders operates factories in nine countries and employs about 1,800 staff. Its latest turnover was more than £200m.