Glencairn glassmaker toasts Queen’s Award

Renowned Scottish crystal and glassware company Glencairn has received The Queen’s Award for International Enterprise – one of the highest accolades in British business.

The Award, which recognises “outstanding achievement by UK businesses” in innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Glencairn was previously awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2012, and the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006 for the Glencairn whisky glass.

Awards are valid for five years, and recipients are invited to a royal reception at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, and are able to fly the Queen’s Award flag and use the emblem on marketing materials.

The family-owned and run company was founded in 1980 by Raymond Davidson, and is run managed by his sons, Paul and Scott.

More than 50 full-time staff are employed by the East Kilbride firm, which exports to over 60 exports globally.

In addition to its characteristic tasting glasses, Glencairn also produces bespoke glassware and high-end decanters for the whisky industry.

Clients include drinks makers Brown-Forman and Diageo, as well as corporates BP and Google, and the Houses of Parliament and the Scottish Parliament.

“At Glencairn, we pride ourselves on the highest level of customer service, quality craftsmanship and above all else, treating our suppliers, employees and clients with extraordinary care and attention at all times,” said managing director, Paul Davidson.

“We believe in challenging ourselves to deliver a product that not only reflects our customer’s requirements and expectations – but exceeds them. The recognition that we have received from The Queen’s Award this year and in the past, helps to reinforce, not only our business and growth success, but also our management and development skills for the superb team we have within the business. We are delighted to be awarded such an incredible and highly esteemed award once again.”

Commercial director Scott Davidson added: “We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation within the industry, leading the world in the development of premium decanters for premium aged whisky.  We have developed vessels for some of the finest and most rare whisky ever sold in the world.

“We position ourselves as Scotland’s Crystal Company and, with our expertise in crystal, design and packaging and we are honoured to now be the pre-eminent supplier of premium crystal to the market.”

In its 2015/16 financial year, Glencairn witnessed a 20% sales uplift, buoyed by increasing consumer interest in premium-plus whiskies.