rent economic tide may be turning, but business success stories are still few and far between. However, a number of strong financial investments and a current rebranding campaign have enabled Scottish company, Glencairn Crystal, to put themselves firmly on the international map when it comes to supply and designing top of the range crystal glasses and specialist decanters to the drinks industry.Indeed, a heady mix of rare and expensive whiskies and an innovative approach to product design and quality presentation packaging looks set to ensure that the new product development turnover at East Kilbride based, Glencairn Crystal, will double to over £4 million during the next year – with current new business increasing staff by 40%.
For the family run business the future is crystal clear, with Managing Director, Paul Davidson confident that the increase in growth and staffing levels over the next few years will continue, and the company have just completed a £1.5m purchase & expansion of their glass decoration facility at the East Kilbride HQ. and taken on 5 youngsters with an eye to the future.
Said Paul: “At Glencairn we have built our business on a commitment to personal service and quality. The company has grown through a truly innovative approach to the market that has led us to the forefront of premium packaging for some of the world’s rarest and most expensive whiskies. Since the launch of the specialist whisky glass, The Glencairn Glass, we have grown both in size and appreciation within the industry as a reputable company to work with.
“Products designed by Glencairn Crystal range from luxury crystal development to engineering precious metal closures and dedication to quality presentation packaging, a well as our famous Glencairn Whisky glass. Indeed, we are not limiting these developments to decanters, it is also barware too, such as the Johnnie Walker Blue Label tumbler for global promotions etc, as well as many other products for the brands such as Brooks Brothers and The Ryder Cup “
Recent examples of their growing reputation in the world-wide whisky market as a company with an innovative approach in creating the most luxurious products in the Scotch Industry. Balvenie's 50 Years Old, Glengoyne's 35 Years Old, Glen Grant & theirexclusive 50 Year Old Special Release to John Dewar & Sons Royal Brackla & Legacy, Diageo's Brora rare 40 Years Old are the latest products released working with Glencairn in the last year.
Said Product Development Director, Scott Davidson: “We designed every aspect of the process. From engraving to designing, sourcing and applying the copper, gold and silver. In some cases designing the box packaging too. These projects are very specialised and very complex for such a limited release. Unlike a standard bottle of whisky, these designs have unique features that are impossible to recreate, but that is what makes them desirable.
But it has not been limited to Scotch Whisky, Glencairn has also moved across the world to supply the Rum, Cognac and Port industries in their desire for luxury packaging.
Paul continued: “In terms of innovation, Glencairn is one of leading companies racing to keep up with demand for luxury market products for the spirit companies with unique features for every brand. Technically challenging details, such as attaching metal, customised shapes, developing crystal pieces that look beautiful yet that meet the technical and safety requirements of the drinks industry."
He concluded: “Glencairn is working with its key partners to offer a full integrated solution, to ensure the performance and quality of the hand crafted crystal, metalware, and unique corks custom engineered for each product, is maintained as well as meet demands for larger scale production.”
For the Davidson family, their combined blend of expertise in crystal, design, packaging and innovative product development, has ensured that Scottish based Glencairn Crystal has secured pole position as the largest supplier of crystal to the Scottish Whisky industry in the UK and Ireland, as well as supplying their products and gaining interest in over 50 countries in the global market through their industry recognised the Glencairn Whisky Glass, which has been a huge success as a product, with sales of over2.3 million glasses a year world-wide.
Glencairn Crystal have also gained a number of National Business awards including: The orange business award for marketing strategy in 2006, The Queens Award for innovation in 2006 and The Queens Award for International Development in 2012.
