Glasgow Chamber Of Commerce

A long-standing captain of Industry has received a double helping of praise as his business continues to invest and lead Scotland out of recession.

Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism said Glasgow based John Watson and Co was "key" to helping Scotland build "sustainable growth" during a visit to launch a  - new multi-million pound pressure-sensitive label continuous press.

And in a second endorsement of the work being led by Chairman and Chief Executive John Watson OBE, the Company was applauded as a "beacon of industry" by the printing employers' federation.

Mr Ewing made his glowing remarks during a conducted tour of the Glasgow plant, which operates on a three shift system, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, specialising in labels to the Drinks Industry in general and the Scotch Whisky Industry in particular.  
 
Mr Ewing cut the ribbon to officially launch the new Swiss-made press, which is the most advanced self-adhesive press in the United Kingdom and is an investment made in the teeth of a recession.  
 
He said: "John Watson & Company works with some prestigious brands and it has been interesting to see the amount of highly technical equipment the Company had invested in over the years.
 
"It was particularly interesting to see the Re-branding Division, as well as the Anti-Counterfeiting measures the company employs to avoid 'passing off' in the market place.
 
"Ambitious companies like John Watson are key to building sustainable economic growth for Scotland and I wish them the best of luck as they build on their success and take forward ambitions plans to expand their operations."
 
Chairman, John Watson OBE said:  "We were delighted to welcome Mr Ewing and his team here to officially launch this 'state of the art' printing press, which has been built and specially commissioned in Switzerland by manufacturer Gallus to facilitate the printing of extremely high specification labels for the many brands carried out by John Watson & Company.  Some, in fact, are new brands and some are ones which  were previously printed as wet-glue labels, which have now been converted to self-adhesive".  
 
Robert McLachlan, the Joint Managing Director of John Watson and Co said: "This, we understand, is a growth market and it is one we have been keen to 'tap into', as it allows us to have a foothold in both technologies and offer our blue-chip customer base a five star Design and Print Service".
 
Bob Hodgson, Director of printing industry employers' federation Graphic Enterprise Scotland, added: "In an industry challenged with new communications media, increased raw material and energy prices,  a recession and general overcapacity it is refreshing and exiting to see a company like John Watson & Co Ltd investing in ground breaking technology specific to changing client needs and technical sophistication.

"Our industry in Scotland can only grow and prosper by constant capital investment which pushes at the forefront of productivity and international competition. John Watson has always been ahead of the curve in competing against competition from overseas  in the label market in the UK and this investment not only secures this position but is a beacon for our industry . I am proud to have John Watson as a member and represent them in our ever changing industry.