2300 S Watney Way #A, Fairfield, CA, United States of America, 94553
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Guala Closures Announces the Inauguration of New Plant In Nigeria, Strengthening Africa’s Strategic Importance for Long-Term Growth
Building on its successful operations in Kenya and South Africa, Guala Closures is now investing in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing markets.
Lagos, April 23, 2025 – Guala Closures, a world leader in the production of closures for the spirits, wine, water, beer, non-alcoholic beverage, and edible oil markets, inaugurated yesterday its new greenfield manufacturing facility in West Africa, strategically located in the Lagos Free Zone.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ugo Boni, Consul General of Italy in Lagos, Adesuwa Ladoja, CEO of Lagos Free Zone, Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Guala Closures, and other executives of the Group. This expansion represents a key milestone in the company’s growth strategy, strengthening its commitment to the African market and enhancing its presence in one of the continent’s most dynamic economies.
The Nigerian plant will serve West African markets and can supply anti-counterfeiting safety closures for spirits bottles, including innovative features developed precisely for this specific market. The construction of the plant, which spans nearly 5,000 square meters, was completed in a record time of just 22 weeks and reached operational start-up by the end of 2024. The facility will be further developed in the next years and is expected to create significant employment opportunities for the local community.
Building on its successful operations in Kenya and South Africa, recently strengthened with the acquisition of the facility owned by Astir Vitogiannis in Johannesburg, Guala Closures is investing in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing markets. With a population exceeding 235 million and a median age of just 18, Nigeria offers vast potential for industrial and economic development. The country's growing spirits and other beverages markets, fueled by an expanding middle class with increasing disposable income and a demand for premium products, creates significant opportunities for Guala Closures. The new facility will allow to better serve local businesses and global brands with innovative and high-quality closure solutions tailored to regional needs.
The opening of the Lagos facility reinforces Guala Closures’ long-term vision for growth and leadership in Africa, further positioning the company as a key partner in the region’s industrial and economic evolution.
“This investment underscores our commitment to advancing in the African market and creating value for our partners,” said Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Guala Closures. “Indeed, our global presence and in-depth knowledge of local markets allow us to stay close to our global customers, addressing their specific needs in every region of the world with customized solutions and outstanding service. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and maintaining a strong focus on product quality and safety, we aim to enhance brand identity while offering robust protection against counterfeiting - an increasingly critical issue in the industry.”
With this expansion, Guala Closures continues its strategy of staying close to its customers, a philosophy reflected in its network of 37 production plants and 7 research and development centers worldwide.
Mrs. Adesuwa Ladoja, the Managing Director and CEO of Lagos Free Zone, added: “We are delighted that Guala Closures, one of our most prestigious international clients, has decided to expand their operations in Nigeria through our ready-to-lease Standard Industrial Facility at the LFZ. We are committed to supporting the next phase of growth in Nigeria and West Africa for Guala Closures.”
About Guala Closures
Guala Closures offers premium and innovative closure solutions that provide protection and convenience to consumers while enhancing customers' brands. With 37 production plants worldwide, Guala Closures is a world leader in the production of closures for spirits, wines, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, oil and condiments, that guarantee proximity to its customers, with a localised and customised offer of services and solutions. More information is available at www.gualaclosures.com and follow the company page on LinkedIn.
Sustainability and Style: Explore Guala’s Premium Closure Range
Guala Closures North America will be promoting the most luxurious aluminum wine closures manufactured in North America – WAK and Savin.
The WAK closure combines tradition and innovation to deliver the benefits of an aluminum closure with the look of a traditional cork. As used by trusted customers Caymus, Coppercane, Hope Family wines and John Anthony Cellars.
Guala’s SAVIN PREMIUM closure offers a sleek sided closure, showing no visible thread, with a patented aluminum insert – compared to other plastic alternatives in market. This delivers a premium and sustainable choice for wine customers to highlight the value of their brand. As used by trusted customers Constellation and Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.
Guala Closures also offers the Blossom sustainable range of closures specific to the wine industry, as well as QR coded liners and aluminum closures for sparkling wines, alongside safety closures and bar-tops.
Guala Closures
Unified Symposium Booth: 1218
Guala Closures North America, based in Fairfield, California, is part of the Guala Group, the largest supplier of safety and value added closures in the world, with 34 production facilities (headquartered in Italy).
Guala North America supplies the wine and spirits market, plus has customers in oil, water, and non-alcoholic beverage.
Introducing Our New Custom Screw Cap Production Line in Fairfield
We’re excited to announce TWO new additions to our Fairfield production facility: a custom silk screen printing line for 30x60 screw caps and local production of Guala’s internal threaded screw cap, Savin. With local Savin production, Guala becomes the only USA producer of an internally threaded 30x60 screw cap. The new silk screw line allows Guala to offer smaller, custom runs for wineries that need unique closures with fast turnaround times. Whether you’re looking for distinctive branding or a specialized design, our Fairfield facility is equipped to meet your needs efficiently.
This marks a significant milestone for Guala Closures, a global leader in wine closures with support plants located in Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. Fairfield now joins the ranks, enhancing our capacity to serve North American clients with speed and flexibility.
If you have any questions or need custom closure solutions, feel free to contact our team:
- Sterling Macdonell, Sales Manager – sterling@gualaclosuresna.com
- Shelly Sponseller, Customer Service/Supply Chain Manager – customerservice@gualaclosuresna.com
Our investment in this production line reflects our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, helping us provide even better service to the wine industry.
Can Uniqueness Be Repeatable?
Introducing Prestige Guala Closures, the art of luxury closures for glass bottles that embodies the perfect blend of exclusivity and industrial excellence. Crafted from precious materials, each closure is a work of art, yet our advanced production techniques ensure that this uniqueness is consistently reproducible without compromising exclusivity.
Experience luxury with Prestige Guala Closures – where unparalleled quality meets innovative craftsmanship.
Top 3 Reasons Why Alu Closures Are Chosen for Wine
The ease of opening and re-closing the bottle, followed by practicality and the ability to preserve taste. These are the main reasons why wine consumers choose aluminum closures, according to a recent study by Aluminium Closures Group
The same survey, conducted among 6,000 people from Italy, Spain, Germany, France, England and Poland, revealed another important piece of evidence: as many as 42% of respondents, in fact, say that in the long term alu closures will dominate the wine industry.
Find out more details about the study results 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/epsVK-Hm
Learn more about our wine choices 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/d6Net-hu
Sustainable Development Report 2023 Highlights
Guala Closures Powerful Partnership with Cloudy Bay Vineyards
"The quality and service of Guala Closures' screw caps are the main reasons we chose to collaborate with this company, which represents a reliable and established partner. The screw caps are the hallmark of this company and they have always satisfied us" Kat Mason, Wine communication manager at Cloudy Bay Vineyards, has no doubts as to why choosing Guala Closures as a partner.
The result? A wine of the highest quality that reflects the natural wonder of New Zealand and communicates its extreme attention to detail through innovative packaging design.
Discover more about our long-lasting and powerful partnership https://lnkd.in/dpsWANDV
Guala Closures Group: Moving Wine Forward with Aluminum Screw Caps
Aluminum screw cap closures for wine bottles are expanding worldwide, yet some countries have lower adoption rates than others. Top users are New Zealand, with 99% of wines sealed with screw caps, and Australia, with 80%.
The world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum closures, the Guala Closures Group, is working hard to promote the obvious benefits of aluminium screw caps for the wine industry. Regions with a long history in wine, like Europe and North America, have a traditional preference for cork. However, times are changing, and screw cap closures align with the active lifestyle of younger consumers who appreciate their convenience and functionality. These consumers are less enamored with wine traditions. They are also ever vigilant about sustainability claims when choosing wines, which makes 100% recyclable and reusable aluminum attractive. Screw cap closures also allow for moderation, a key trend in today’s culture, where sharing a glass and saving the rest for later is easier.
Guala Closures Group is at the forefront of these trends, with over 30 production sites around the world. Specifically in New Zealand, Guala supported the local wine industry and took a unique approach to the role of screw caps when a group of forward-thinking winemakers formed the Screwcap Wine Seal Initiative in 2001. The catalysts were challenges with sustainability, which wasn’t a word at the time, and cork taint. The Screwcap Initiative research found that screw caps provided a better seal, prevented oxygen transfer, and kept wines fresher and more consistent for longer. In just three years, the entire wine industry in New Zealand has zero to 40-50% screw cap. Today, 99% of New Zealand wines use aluminium screw cap closure.
“In 2005, Guala Closures invested significantly in New Zealand so the local wine industry could consider innovation and forward thinking closure alternatives. New Zealand prides itself on being an early adopter,” says Dave Campbell, General Manager of Guala Closures Group in North America, and himself a Kiwi. “Twenty years ago, we were saying the same things that Americans are saying now regarding aluminium closures, but we adopted the benefits of screw caps really quickly and decided that, from a sustainable winemaking perspective, screw cap closures simply made sense in the modern world.”
The US wine industry has been slower in its move to aluminium screw caps, partly due to the lingering consumer perception that closure type denotes quality and partly due to the winery concern that they should only use them for less expensive wines. The change is happening, with over one-third of the industry now using this style of closure. The Guala Closure Group, as a world leader in aluminium closure production continues to invest locally in the region and provide innovative and sustainable closure solutions to the US wine industry to meet the needs of the modern and everchanging wine consumer.
To learn more about how aluminium screw cap closures can work for you, visit the Guala Closure Group booth at 816 at the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium.
Sustainable Together 2023-2030
Guala Closures Appoints Mauro Caneschi as New CEO
Gabriele Del Torchio Confirmed Chairman
Milan, 12th September 2023 – Guala Closures S.p.A. (“Guala Closures” or the “Group”), a global leading producer of closures for spirits, wines, water and beverages, today announces that Gabriele Del Torchio, currently Chairman and CEO, will remain as Chairman with effect in September 2023 and Mauro Caneschi will join as Chief Executive Officer.
Gabriele Del Torchio was appointed Chairman and CEO of Guala Closures in April 2021 when the Group was acquired by an investment company of Investindustrial VII L.P., a leading independent European investment group. During this period, he has led the Group’s successful growth and strong business performance. This includes:
- Improved operational efficiencies and expansion of its international manufacturing facilities;
- A strong focus on R&D differentiating its products, and product expansion focusing on the “premiumisation” trend;
- Strengthening its presence in the luxury segment with the establishment of a division dedicated to luxury closures, consolidating the successful acquisition of Labrenta in July 2022, and securing the Group’s position as one of the leading operators in this segment; and
- Significant sales and EBITDA growth: at the appointment of Gabriele Del Torchio, LTM sales and EBITDA were, respectively, €565 million and €98 million; compared to June 2023, when Guala Closures achieved €920 million of LTM revenues and €181 million of LTM EBITDA.
These changes were agreed at the outset of Gabriele Del Torchio’s appointment.
Mauro Caneschi joins from Campari Group where he first led the Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa Business Unit (including Global Travel Retail) before creating and managing the Americas operation, Campari Group’s largest division. He had previously held senior international positions at Heineken, Scottish & Newcastle and Danone Group. He has an excellent track record in developing people, building brands and growing international businesses, as well as having responsibility for strategic acquisitions and integration. In particular, he has significant expertise in Guala Closure’s end-markets and an ability to integrate and accelerate complex and international businesses.
Commenting on the Chairman and CEO appointments, Andrea C. Bonomi, Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board at Investindustrial, said: “Investindustrial has had the privilege of working with Gabriele as Chairman and CEO over many years in a number of the firm’s portfolio companies including Ducati, Snai, Design Holding and Guala Closures. We can fully attest to his significant contribution to the success, strategic direction and growth of these businesses. He is a first-class leader, and we are delighted that Guala Closures will continue to benefit from his significant experience and counsel as Chairman”.
“We would also like to welcome Mauro Caneschi as CEO who has an impressive track record of growing international businesses and a keen vision and ambition. We look forward to working with him over the coming years.”
Gabriele Del Torchio, Chairman of Guala Closures, added:
“Mauro Caneschi is a highly talented individual, and I am very pleased he is joining Guala Closures as CEO to lead the Group in its next phase of growth. He has a significant understanding of Guala Closures’ end-markets thereby enabling the Group to continually improve its client-led focus. He also has a demonstrable ability to substantially enhance operational efficiencies across complex business structures and drive performance. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him to the Board.”
Mauro Caneschi, CEO of Guala Closures, commented:
“It is a real privilege to be leading Guala Closures, a highly performing organisation across several international markets with a strong leadership position. I am greatly looking forward to further internationalising the business through both organic and potential M&A growth. In addition, maintaining a strong client and R&D focus will be critical as we seek to continually innovate and position ourselves as the leading producer of speciality closures for spirits, wine, water and other beverages. I am excited about this opportunity and very keen to be working alongside Gabriele Del Torchio and Investindustrial to deliver substantial value growth in the coming years.”
The changes in the offices of the Chairman and CEO follow other senior management appointments - including a new CFO, the managing director of Labrenta and the business development manager spirits - announced in July 2023.
Information on: Guala Closures Group
Guala Closures Group offers premium and innovative closure solutions that provide protection and convenience to consumers while enhancing customers' brands. With more than 30 production plants worldwide, Guala Closures Group is a world leader in the production of closures for spirits, wines, beverages, oil and condiments, that guarantees proximity to its customers, with a localised and customised offer of services and solutions. Guala Closures Group today employs over 5.000 people and produces around 18 billion closures a year globally.
More information is available at www.gualaclosures.com and follow the company page on Linkedin
About
Founded in Italy in 1954 by the Guala family as a production plant to make plastic components, today, the Guala Closures Group operates in 4 continents through 29 production plants and a sales network covering over 60 countries.
Thanks to a policy of continuous business development and technological innovation, the Group is an acknowledged benchmark at world level, in a scenario of highly differentiated and constantly growing markets. The world leader in the production of non-refillable closures for spirits and the leader in Europe and Latin America in the production of aluminium closures, Guala is also one of the leading forces in Italy and Spain in the design and manufacture of PET preforms and bottles.
A large Italian multinational with a widespread network covering traditional commercial areas and in continuous expansion in emerging markets.
Over 4,200 managers, professionals and engineers united by the same passion: to safeguard the quality and enhance the image of the leading international brands in alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, wine, oil, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
14.5 billion closures sold in 100 countries, 4 research centres, two divisions, Closures and PET, 29 production plants. Always one step ahead of its customers' requirements, providing technological knowhow and reliability.
Our Mission
To consolidate and develop our leadership position at international level in the market for closures for alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, wine, oil, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and for PET, adopting a model focused exclusively on our core business.
To constantly pursue research, innovation and quality, to anticipate market change and to be a partner to customers, jointly developing new solutions to protect products and to create an image based on the most advanced marketing techniques.
To contribute to creating an international culture that seeks to safeguard product quality and to challenge the phenomenon of adulteration, to the benefit of consumers and manufacturers alike.
To develop a policy of accountability towards stakeholders (investors, customers, employees, suppliers, local communities) and the environment, by taking action based on the following values:
- transparency: clarity, completeness and correctness of information, of the business activities performed and in interpersonal relations
- professionalism: training and development of employees with a view to continuous improvement
- protection and welfare of the environment: health and safety of the workplace, of products and of the impact on communities close to production sites
- recognition and reward of results: full sharing of objectives and objective assessment criteria to encourage and reward all human resources
To pursue a strategy of constant growth by acquiring and establishing new production plants and by developing sales networks on new countries, to guarantee the creation of value, to the benefit of the market and investors.
Contact
Contact List
| Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Manager | Simon Yudelevich | simon@gualaclosuresna.com | 7077183987 | 70771 |
| Sales Manager | Lisa Giannini | lisa@gualaclosuresna.com | 6472052307 | |
| Customer Service | Jaisan Robb | jaisan@gualaclosuresna.com | 7074252277 |
Location List
| Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guala Closures North America, Inc | 2300 S Watney Way #A, Fairfield | CA | United States of America | 94553 |
List of Locations
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