Gualapack S.p.A., the historic Italian packaging giant
founded 70 years ago in Alessandria, continues its impressive global expansion
under the leadership of its new CEO, Andrea Lodetti, 54. Since his appointment
in December, he has accelerated the company’s international growth strategy,
building on a series of high-impact acquisitions that have strengthened Guala’s
presence across key markets and diversified its portfolio.
After acquiring the Italian company Labrenta
in 2022 and the Chinese Yibin Fengyi Packaging in 2023, the company opened two
new production plants this year, one in Nigeria and another in Scotland. Now,
the company has announced two further major operations: the acquisition of
Metal Crowns, a leading manufacturer of crown and plastic caps in East Africa,
and the Austrian KWK, which marks the group’s strategic entry into the
pharmaceutical plastic closures market. These moves confirm Guala’s
transformation into a truly global leader, with 37 manufacturing sites,
commercial presence in over 100 countries, and more than 5,000 employees
worldwide. The company’s current revenue of €876 million highlights its solid
growth and international competitiveness.
“Thanks to these acquisitions, Guala has
reached record levels – said Andrea Lodetti – The integration of Astir
Vitogiannis, a leading producer of crown caps for beer, soft drinks, and
various beverages, has been another decisive step in consolidating our
leadership in the global closures market”.
From humble beginnings – specializing in what
many considered a minor product, plastic and aluminium caps – Guala has become
one of Italy’s most successful industrial multinationals. Under Andrea Lodetti’s
guidance, the company is not only expanding its global footprint but also
entering new sectors, combining innovation, sustainability, and strategic
foresight to shape the future of packaging worldwide.
