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.
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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.
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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.
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INVESTMENT IN NEW MACHINERY
In 2018, following a consistent growth in our moulded pulp business, we started building our seventh moulded pulp production line.
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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.
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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.
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CULLEN HITS £10 MILLION TURNOVER
In 2011, Cullen Packaging reached a turnover in excess of £10million for the first time.
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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
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.
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SAFEGUARDING FOR THE FUTURE
In 2004, a state of the art fire prevention project was commissioned safeguarding the future of the business.
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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.
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CULLEN PACKAGING MOVE INTO MOULDED PULP
In 2001, Cullen purchased “Universal Pulp Packaging”, entering the moulded pulp market.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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‘ROBERT CULLEN & SONS’ FOUNDED
In 1921, ‘Robert Cullen & Sons’, local specialists in high-quality packaging for whisky brands, was founded by Mr. Robert Cullen.
Latest News
Reuters reports on the astronomical growth from Cullen driven by demand for its plastic packaging alternatives
Cullen’s CEO and Owner David MacDonald recently spoke with Reuters as they explored sustainable packaging trends. The article states, one solution that businesses are opting for is closed-loop recycling for paper. Scotland-based Cullen has seen demand soar for its moulded pulp packaging, made from recycled byproducts of its corrugate packaging business, as businesses look to
Celebrating Cullen's Fibre Bottle: A Silver Award Winner at the Environmental Packaging Awards
Cullen’s patented Fibre Bottle has been honoured with the prestigious Silver Award in not just one, but two categories at the esteemed Environmental Packaging Awards. The ground-breaking innovation has revolutionised the way we approach packaging, offering a 100% plastic free, sustainable alternative for personal care and household products. The Environmental Packaging Awards recognise outstanding achievements
Cullen awarded prestigious ‘Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund’ From Scottish Enterprise
Cullen welcomed Richard Lochhead MSP, the Scottish Minister for Business, Trade, and Innovation and Neil Francis, Managing Director for Major Projects Scottish Enterprise for a tour of their recently expanded, state-of-the art 14-acre site in Glasgow after securing funding from the ‘Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund’ from Scottish Enterprise. Since 2020, Cullen has successfully replaced
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Contact our team of experts to find out more about our moulded pulp and corrugated packaging.