New bottling facility offers ‘flexibility’ to small producers

Two food and drink professionals are set to open a “state-of-the-art” bottling facility in Glasgow, which will “overcome barriers” that have prevented small producers from selling their products overseas.

Contract Bottlers Glasgow (CBG) is the brainchild of founders Ron Young and Adrian Louden. The duo has made a six- figure investment and received grants and additional funding. The overall investment in the new line totals more than £650,000.

The new facility will provide the level of track and trace required to allow small producers to export and sell into UK retailers and also offer “flexibility” to produce runs as small as 1,000 litres.

In addition, CBG will also bottle whisky casks for customers and has secured its excise warehouse registration certificate, trade facility warehouse approval and compounder’s licence.

The license permits the firm to “handle bulk underbond to reduce in strength for bottling and compound spirits for liqueurs, both of which support the supply chain, keeping vehicle movements to a minimum and offering flexibility to CBG customers”.

WSTA figures show that UK gin sales are now worth £2 billion (US$2.5bn) and exports of British gin smashed the £600 million (US$766m) barrier last year. CBG said this provides a “massive opportunity” for craft distillers. CBG believes it “has the potential to double the export market”.

Young said: “We have invested in the latest bottling, labelling and alcohol measurement technologies to ensure accuracy and traceability, which will fulfil all legislative requirements, while allowing our clients to retain the integrity of their brands.

“We see ourselves as enablers for the craft and artisan spirits sector, addressing the complex operational factors inherent in producing and bottling spirits, allowing the distillers to concentrate on their passion – the unique characters of their brands.”

Louden added: “We see a role for ourselves in moving the whole industry forward by raising productions standards, allowing it to maximise its potential.”