ucpboa_cblbeefeater_prUnited Closures & Plastics (UCP) Bridge of Allan, specialising in packaging solutions for the global wines and spirits industry, has developed Orchid, a new combined aluminium and plastic tamper evident snap-on security closure in partnership with Pernod Ricard, Chivas Brothers Limited to cap one of the world’s best-known premium brands, Beefeater London Dry Gin.

UCP’s parent company, Global Closure Systems has invested in a dedicated manufacturing cell comprising numerous injection moulding machines and moulds together with assembly and finishing equipment for the closure development. So-called due to the sheer variety of possible options, Orchid is a modular security closure concept offering general trade customers the opportunity to adapt the design to include new features for different brands and markets. The closure combines UCP’s top security non-refillable valve for high-risk markets with an innovative tamper evidence mechanism which provides an irreversible opening event to leave permanent evidence of initial opening.

Very close co-operation throughout the development process rewarded both companies with the achievement of their business objectives. Graeme Bridgeford, Package Development Manager at Chivas Brothers comments: “We chose UCP as development partner to give us a fresh and unique opportunity to develop a closure from scratch with the aim of providing overall business improvement in terms of component rationalisation and manufacturing efficiencies whilst optimising the tamper evident aspects of the Beefeater London Dry Gin brand.

Our review of the processes used and the results of the project to-date have been very positive indeed and the benefits to Chivas, defined in the key deliverables of the project, have been met in full.” UCP is also producing an open-pour version, which matches the aesthetics of the security closure allowing Chivas Brothers to run one type of neck finish with either closure version for all packs.

New Product Development Manager, Steven Skelton adds: “UCP Bridge of Allan has 25 years of experience in the design and production of security closures and the investment by GCS demonstrates our commitment to product development in this specialist area. The dedicated Orchid tamper evident security closures manufacturing cell is geared for substantially high volume production, further strengthening our long-standing reputation as a significant player in this market.”

Beefeater is exported to over 100 countries and with annual sales of 2.3 million cases**. It is the number one premium gin in Spain and number three premium gin in the USA – the world’s largest premium gin market*.

* Source: Pernod Ricard Market View, based on IWSR data ending 2008 – Western style Spirits, excluding RTD, wines and wine-based aperitifs. Ranking among international groups.

** Pernod Ricard internal source 2008/2009 – 1 case = 9 litres.

UCP Bridge of Allan

Tel: 01786 833 613

E: George.thomson@gcs.com

www.ucplimited.com

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