Lochlea reveals final whisky in Seasonal series

Guala Closures to acquire crown cap giant Astir Vitogiannis in €136m deal

News |

  • Share to:

In a major move to strengthen its presence in the beer packaging sector, Guala Closures has announced the acquisition of crown closure specialist Astir Vitogiannis. The €136 million deal marks Guala’s entry into the crown closures market and is expected to close in the second half of 2024, pending regulatory approval.

Guala, known for its premium closures for wines and spirits, confirmed that the agreement includes Astir’s manufacturing operations in Greece and South Africa. The acquisition brings with it a substantial production capacity, with Astir manufacturing over 12 billion crown caps annually. In 2023, Astir reported €75 million in turnover and €19 million in EBITDA.

Building a stronger position in global bottle closures

Founded in 1953, Astir Vitogiannis has built a reputation as a trusted supplier to major international beer and non-alcoholic beverage brands. With the acquisition, Guala aims to broaden its client base and expand its capabilities in closures for glass bottles—specifically within the beer category, where crown caps dominate.

Guala Closures CEO Mauro Caneschi called the acquisition a “strategic milestone” for the company’s growth trajectory. “We are excited to be entering the crown closures market through the acquisition of Astir, a leading international company at the forefront of its industry,” he said. “The acquisition represents a further important step in the Group’s growth strategy of strengthening its market position in glass bottle closures, alongside the goal to continue growing the business in exciting international markets and within the luxury sector.”

Synergy and continuity at the forefront

The deal aligns with Guala’s strategy of “pursuing and successfully integrating synergistic acquisitions,” aimed at profitable growth across global markets. Importantly, the acquisition also preserves leadership continuity: Astir’s CEO, Stelios Vitogiannis, will remain in his current role, now reporting to Guala’s CEO.

“Over the last 50 years, Astir has consistently grown, becoming a leader in the crown closures segment,” said Vitogiannis. “The entry of Guala Closures will enable the company to further expand its range of operations, becoming a platform for consolidation within its sector. I am very pleased to begin this new journey with a partner that has set itself very ambitious goals.”

A strategic step toward global consolidation

With this acquisition, Guala will not only gain a foothold in the beer market but also strengthen its ability to serve beverage manufacturers worldwide. The addition of crown closures complements its existing product lineup, giving Guala greater leverage in an evolving packaging industry where premiumisation and sustainability are increasingly important.

As the global demand for high-quality, tamper-evident packaging solutions continues to grow—especially in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages—Guala’s expansion into crown closures signals a long-term strategy to position itself as a comprehensive leader in bottle closure technology.

Famousvineyard.   Copyright © 2025 all rights reserved.