Guala Closures has signed an agreement to acquire Metal Crowns Group, a Nairobi-based manufacturer of crown corks and plastic closures, in a move to strengthen its position in the East African bottling industry.
Established in 1978, Metal Crowns Group operates two production facilities and supplies global customers in the beer and carbonated soft drinks sectors. For the 12-month period ending July 2025, the group reported aggregated revenues of approximately €32 million.
The acquisition is set to enhance Guala Closures’ presence in East Africa, a region identified by the company as a key growth area, driven by favourable demographics and rising consumer demand. The deal also supports the development of Guala Closures’ global crown closures division, which was launched in 2024.
“This acquisition marks a major milestone in our global growth strategy,” said Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Guala Closures. “By combining our international expertise with Metal Crowns’ local strength, we aim to build a solid platform to drive sustainable growth and innovation across the region. Leveraging Metal Crowns’ longstanding relationships with global customers, we expect to gain further opportunities to expand into other East African countries.”
As part of the agreement, Gurdipsingh Parmar will continue in his role as Executive Director of Metal Crowns.
Guala Closures has operated in East Africa since 2017, when it established Guala Closures East Africa. In 2018, it launched a production facility in Nairobi focused on high-security closures for the local spirits market.
The transaction, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2026. The deal also marks Guala Closures’ entry into the plastic closures segment for non-alcoholic beverages, expanding its product portfolio.