Our History - Cullen

Our History

Our history dates back 100 years when Robert Cullen and his sons established a box-making company in Glasgow, on the banks of the River Clyde. In 1921, Robert Cullen & Sons was born and quickly became the local specialist in high-end packaging for premium whisky brands.

Over the years the business diversified into corrugated and moulded pulp products and packaging solutions for the food & drink, medical, produce, industrial & horticultural sectors.

  • CULLEN INVEST IN CORRUGATED PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY Timeline Image

    CULLEN INVEST IN CORRUGATED PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY

    In 2020, Cullen chose to work with Bobst to replace their existing folder-gluers with the state-of-the-art Expertfold 165. The latest investment will be installed in Q3 2020.

  • NEW WET PRESSING TECHNOLOGY Timeline Image

    NEW WET PRESSING TECHNOLOGY

    In 2019, our latest moulded pulp machine began production, using our Wet Pressing Technology to increase production capacity and improve efficiency.

  • INVESTMENT IN NEW MACHINERY Timeline Image

    INVESTMENT IN NEW MACHINERY

    In 2018, following a consistent growth in our moulded pulp business, we started building our seventh moulded pulp production line.

  • GROWTH FOR MOULDED PULP Timeline Image

    GROWTH FOR MOULDED PULP

    In 2017, an extension to our moulded pulp facility was built adding a 20,000 sq ft warehouse for short term storage and a 15,000 sq ft loading yard with turning area and dispatch office.

  • NEW EQUIPMENT, RECORD TURNOVER Timeline Image

    NEW EQUIPMENT, RECORD TURNOVER

    In 2016, we invested in two HQ, large format 4 colour printers for our corrugated factory providing market leading print quality. As well as this, the company reached a turnover of £15million with 150 staff.

  • CULLEN HITS £10 MILLION TURNOVER Timeline Image

    CULLEN HITS £10 MILLION TURNOVER

    In 2011, Cullen Packaging reached a turnover in excess of £10million for the first time.

  • CULLEN SAVED FROM CLOSURE  Timeline Image

    CULLEN SAVED FROM CLOSURE

    In 2009, Ronnie MacDonald, current Chairman, bought the company Robert Cullen & Sons, saving it from administration and the 125-strong workforce from redundancy.

    His son, David MacDonald, joined the company as Director and Allan Maitland became Managing Director.

  • CULLEN MOVE INTO MEDICAL PULP Timeline Image

    CULLEN MOVE INTO MEDICAL PULP

    In 2007, Cullen entered the medical pulp market, stocking the NHS and HSE healthcare systems, as well as medical facilities in more than 25 other countries worldwide.

  • SAFEGUARDING FOR THE FUTURE Timeline Image

    SAFEGUARDING FOR THE FUTURE

    In 2004, a state of the art fire prevention project was commissioned safeguarding the future of the business.

  • FIRE BREAKS OUT  Timeline Image

    FIRE BREAKS OUT

    In 2003, on a cold December night, a fire broke out in one of our corrugate stores. The fire tore through two warehouses and took nearly 9 months to rebuild. One of the worst moments in Cullen history.

  • CULLEN PACKAGING MOVE INTO MOULDED PULP Timeline Image

    CULLEN PACKAGING MOVE INTO MOULDED PULP

    In 2001, Cullen purchased “Universal Pulp Packaging”, entering the moulded pulp market.

  • RELOCATION TO ANNIESLAND Timeline Image

    RELOCATION TO ANNIESLAND

    In 1995, due to a steady increase in revenue, Cullen relocated to a purpose-built site in Anniesland, north-west Glasgow, where the business operates today. The move was driven by the expansion possibilities for the growing company.

  • THE START OF ‘CULLEN PACKAGING’ Timeline Image

    THE START OF ‘CULLEN PACKAGING’

    IIn 1986, Robert Cullen & Sons was purchased by a consortium of local businessmen. At that time the company had a staff roll of 5 and a turnover of £200,000. The company was rebranded to ‘Cullen Packaging’ and in due course moved to a purpose-built site in Yorkhill, Glasgow’s west-end. This was to increase its capacity to manufacture corrugated packaging.

  • ROBERT CULLEN PASSES AWAY

    In 1976, after decades of steady growth, company-owner Robert Cullen passed away. Ownership of the business was transferred to his wife and sons who continued trading using the same values it was built upon - family.

  • ‘ROBERT CULLEN & SONS’ FOUNDED

    In 1921, ‘Robert Cullen & Sons’, local specialists in high-quality packaging for whisky brands, was founded by Mr. Robert Cullen.

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