GLENCAIRN Crystal is on track for another year of strong growth as the company capitalises on the booming popularity of Scotch overseas.

The East Kilbride-based firm has seen sales of its glassware surge in recent months in a development that shows how the success of the country's whisky producers is creating benefits across the supply chain.

Director Scott Davidson said the family-owned company hoped to sell more than two million of its special whisky glasses this year amid buoyant demand in areas such as Asia and the US.

"In places like Shanghai and Taipei there is massive demand in hotels, catering, whisky bars and for promotions" said Mr Davidson, who runs the business with his two brothers.

The business was founded in 1981 by the Davidson brothers' father, Raymond, who used to work at the former Edinburgh Crystal Operation.

Raymond Davidson, who chairs Glencairn Crystal, decided to focus on corporate markets because he felt there was a limited future for the retail trade.

Scott Davidson reckons the popularity of the glass partly reflects the process of premiumisation in drinks markets. Companies have invested heavily in promoting higher value products like aged single malts.

This has stimulated demand for products such as glasses, which may be used to help educate members of the emerging classes in countries like China about the characteristics of malts.

Glencairn Crystal has also been commissioned to produce engraved bottles and decanters in which whisky firms can sell premium brands. These include a decanter in which 38-year-old Glenfiddich is sold in China by William Grant & Sons.

The company has also benefited from moves by producers of other spirits, such as Appleton Estate rum, to use special bottles for some of their ranges.

"More products are getting launched all the time and we are being asked to develop them," said Mr Davidson.

The company recently took on new premises to provide plenty of room for expansion.

The success has translated into additional jobs in East Kilbride.

In the past year Glencairn Crystal has recruited 12 people in areas ranging from glass engraving to warehousing, including some young trainees.

Two more recruits will join next week, taking employee numbers to 45.

The company completes all its design and engraving work in East Kilbride. The bottles and glasses are manufactured overseas, mainly in western Europe.

Mr Davidson noted Glencairn Crystal buys in services and supplies from a range of businesses in Scotland. These include the silversmith Scottish Silver.

The growth in sales has helped Glencairn Crystal achieve strong profitability. In the year to 30 April 2013 the company recorded a retained profit of £337,880.

Turnover increased from £4.5 million in the preceding year to well over £5m. The company increased turnover by 35% annually in the year to April 2012.

The Scotch Whisky Association reckons the value of the industry's exports totalled £1.987 billion in the first half, up 11% from £1.787bn in the opening six months of 2012.