Meet the Maker: Axel Guilloteau

In this edition of our Meet the Maker series, we are going right to the top, speaking with our Managing Director, Axel Guilloteau. Axel’s career has spanned over 20 years in the glass sector, taking on an array of internationally based positions across the Verallia regions. In this episode, we explore his journey to UK Managing Director and his excitement for our future growth.

 

To begin with can you describe your journey to becoming the UK Managing Director?

“My journey began as a chemical engineer and my work history has always been centred in the glass industry. In 1999, I started my first role in a pharmaceutical glass business, where I had the opportunity to be based in Singapore for four years. From there, I moved to Verallia, which at the time was known as Saint-Gobain, and I was appointed a role in sales, servicing the spirit sector from 2006 to 2010. From there I moved into general management activities of glass creation for the spirits sector, covering production and decoration. Leading on from this role, I was offered an international opportunity to be based in Ukraine, where I spent 3 years overseeing glass production. Finally, in my role preceding my current position here in the UK, I was based in Verallia headquarters overseeing sales and marketing activities for the region.”

 

How have you found the UK division in comparison to other regions?

“I have been very warmly welcomed, both inside and outside the company. When I began, I really valued the opportunity to visit each of the plants and our employees, I have found that there is an abundance of engagement in the company. In the UK, we have what we call real glass makers, there is a real love for the glass product. There are elements where the UK is a real benchmark compared to the rest of the Group. When considering new product development, we have capabilities that are rarely seen in Group. The UK really demonstrates a willingness to grow and develop both our internal practices, but also services that will satisfy our customers. Beyond this, our initiatives surrounding inclusion and diversity are a benchmark that should be applied across the regions. We greatly value our employees and teamwork and use this to satisfy our customers. All of the above excites me for our future projects.”

 

Can you explain your role as Managing Director, and what a typical day may look like?

“To make it very simple, I consider that the role of the Managing Director is to listen and decide. We need to understand and anticipate the needs of our customers in order to develop our strategy, which should be coherent with the one we are defining at Group level. Once this strategy is defined, we need to ensure that everyone in the company knows what this is and understands it in order to implement it. I am thankful that within Verllia UK we have a very experienced and efficient management team which makes my days easier.”

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Verallia?

“I am completely aligned with the Verallia value of ‘Re-imagine glass for a sustainable future’, which is key for me.

More specifically, I am very proud of our focus on the environment and the importance of empowering all of our employees whatever their role and hierarchical position. It’s our employees who will create change and assure customer satisfaction.

As proven by my career path in the company, Verallia trusts its employees and gives them the opportunity to develop.”

 

What excites you about the future of Verallia?

“As we move forward, we have to capitalise from the best of both companies (Verallia UK and Verallia Group). We want to utilise the capabilities that are present in Verallia UK (inherited from Allied Glass) and continue to drive success across all our current markets. The company has also been investing a lot in the UK to help better align with company-wide practices, especially in terms of safety and quality systems and processes. We want to reinforce the incredible sustainable advances we have made in other divisions of Verallia and replicate them here in the UK, which will be supported by expert leaders and ongoing investment.

The growth of Verallia will be driven by harnessing the key elements of both companies. This won’t just stem from practices or equipment, we are experiencing a great deal of knowledge share from employees moving between regions, bringing with them their expertise – this talent is crucial to our future growth.”

 

What is your go-to drink?

 “I like white wine, especially ones coming from the Sancerre area of France. A wonderful chardonnay.”

 

In the coming years, Verallia will continue to thrive and evolve to the changing packaging landscape, and we are excited for Axel to lead us on this journey.

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