Chivas’ £40m bottling plant expansion gets green light

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky arm of Pernod Ricard, has been granted planning permission to expand its bottling facilities at its Kilmalid site in Dumbarton as part of a £40m investment in creating a new, state-of-the-art facility in Scotland.

The plans, announced in November last year, will see the leading whisky business establish a new plant, equipment and facilities in Kilmalid, with the most recent decision granting permission for the creation of a newly designed, purpose built bottling hall.

“[The] decision marks the beginning of a hugely exciting new era for our business and through this investment we will deliver our ambition to achieve excellence in our operations, enabling us to develop and grow our portfolio of iconic and global brands,” said Laurent Lacassagne, chairman and CEO at Chivas Brothers.

“It’s an exciting time in the industry, with Scotch growing in value and volume and exports increasing by 4% last year, and our expansion will enable us to lead the way and capitalise on the opportunities this brings.

“With an 80-year history in Dumbarton we’re proud to be investing and expanding in this community and look forward to progressing the project to the next stage.”

It is scheduled for completion in 2019, when Chivas’s Paisley operations will also transfer to the new Kilmalid site.