Seven-figure investment sees drinks packaging maker create jobs

Posted on 6 Jun 2018 by Jonny Williamson

A Scottish drinks packaging manufacturer and supplier, McLaren Packaging, has announced it will bring more jobs to Stirling when it opens its new manufacturing, design and testing centre this month.

Blue Box Design specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke presentation boxes for a range of sectors.

McLaren Packaging has secured a seven-figure funding package from the Bank of Scotland to complete the move to the new 20,000 sq ft facility on a greenfield site at Broadleys Business Park.

The business, via investment in Blue Box Design, plans to create 10 new roles over the next four years bringing the team to a total of 45, and the larger premises will reportedly give the business the flexibility to upscale production when required and significantly increase sales over the next few years.

The move comes after the company, which produces a range of premium and luxury paper-based packaging for major drinks brands, observed a continual growth in demand for more premium expressions. This created an opportunity for the business to supply more of its packaging products to key whisky clients.

The Bank of Scotland supported the business through a development loan, term loan and working capital facility.

Donald McLaren, managing director of McLaren Packaging, said: “As a supplier in a global market, it’s critical for us to move with the trends and invest to deliver a competitive advantage for our business and customers.

“The Scotch Whisky industry posted a record-breaking number of exports for 2017 with overseas shipments up 8.9% to £4.37bn.

“As a result, we’ve seen our whisky clients looking to differentiate themselves in the increasingly competitive glob Box Design specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke presentation boxes for a range of sectors.al market for brown spirits. We’ve seen a huge shift to more elaborate packaging with bespoke designs due to drinkers all over the world demanding quirky and premium variations of our national tipple.

“Having our ambitious growth plans supported by Bank of Scotland has made the process completely streamlined. Its tailored knowledge helps immensely as the relationship team understands our plans and the importance of the impact we are having on the Scottish supply chain.”

Get insights like this delivered straight to your inbox

5 Digital Briefings | 5 Front-of-Mind Topics | 5 Days a Week

  • Monday: Manufacturing Innovation
  • Tuesday: Manufacturing Leadership
  • Wednesday: Digital Transformation
  • Thursday: Industrial Automation
  • Friday: Industrial Internet

Sign up for free here.