Scotland's fastest whisky bottling plant opens

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell yesterday opened the country's fastest whisky bottling plant.

The £3 million state-of-the-art, high-speed bottling plant at Edrington Group's Glasgow premises, can produce 600 bottles of Scotch every minute. The investment included a £500,000 Regional Selective Assistance award from the Scottish Executive that will safeguard 50 full time jobs at the plant.

Speaking at the opening, First Minister Jack McConnell said: "Scotland's whisky industry is one of the most important elements of our economy, and its global reputation as one of the world's leading drinks is stronger than ever before.

"Its history and traditions reflect the best of Scotland's industrial and commercial past, and its innovation and confidence reflect all that is exciting about 21st century Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.

"Its success plays a strong part in attracting visitors to Scotland - more than one million people visited distillery visitor centres last year alone - and one in 50 Scottish jobs depend on this most famous of industries. Governments do not generate wealth, that is the job of business, but we can - and do - support businesses so that they can create the growth so essential to a prosperous Scotland.

"The success of the whisky industry is central to Scotland's future and the Edrington Group makes a significant contribution to the industry's continued success, which is why I am delighted to be here today to open this new bottling line."

The Robertson family originally founded the Edrington Group, Scotland's leading independent Scotch Whisky group, in Glasgow in the 1850s. The Group employs around 850 people, at five distilleries and five other sites.

Edrington Chief Executive Ian Good said that the Group had invested £20 million to secure jobs and boost productivity to meet demand.

The whisky industry is the UK's fifth highest export earner and exports top £2 billion a year. The industry generates £800 million a year in Scotland, and an estimated £1.3 billion in the UK.

(SP)