An extension to create a state-of-the-art blending and warehouse facility in East Kilbride is taking shape.
The site off West Mains Road, which once housed the Birmingham Sound Reproducers (BSR) factory and lay derelict for a number of years, has sparked much debate in the town since work began and the initial steel frame went up.
While many thought it was a supermarket, it is an extension to the operations of Burn Stewart Distillers, who currently have a base next to the site.
The whisky producer, which was acquired by Distell in 2013, say the development is the culmination of many years of planning and trying to buy the land.
Once fully complete, there will be blending capability and warehousing for up to 47,000 casks.
Operations and staff from an ageing facility in Airdrie will be transferred to East Kilbride, which currently bottles the whisky only.
But with the whisky being warehoused next to where it is blended and bottled, the company say there will be a big reduction in its carbon footprint.
The building should be handed over to Distell next April to be fitted-out ready for it to be operational by September.
It marks a £15m investment by Distell with approximately 12 staff transferring to the site.
Alan Wright, international supply chain director, said: “The development of our site at East Kilbride is very exciting and culminates many years of planning to get to this stage.
“The transformation that it will bring to our business in terms of carbon footprint, workplace environment, and process efficiency are not to be under-estimated.”
