Packaging firm shows confidence in whisky with investment

McLaren packaging is based in Port Glasgow

A packaging firm which earns most of its custom from Scotch whisky makers, is toasting a multi-million pound expansion plan that involves building a new site in Stirling

McLaren Packaging, which is based in Port Glasgow, is spending £3million to build the new facility for their luxury packaging subsidiary at Broadleys Business Park.

18 new employees will be hired to work at the new site over the next four years, adding to the 135 people who are already employed by the company.

The business is run by brothers Donald and Michael McLaren, and was founded by their father in 1979, who say the demand in Scotch whisky has sparked the commitment.

Donald McLaren told the Herald: “It is a big move for us as a business - it is one of the biggest investments we have made in the last 20 years - it’s really confidence in what we are doing just now.

“The business is growing very strongly. We have focused the business around the premium end of the packaging market, and we do a lot with the Scotch whisky industry, Scottish food, luxury products and all those areas are growing significantly.

However, the duo did sound a note of caution after the potential instability resulting from the Brexit vote, admitting that the result of the referendum didn’t go the way they expected.

The Stirling investment is backed by Scottish Enterprise, and comes as McLaren is on course to beat their target of achieving £20m turnover by the year 2020.

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