Meet the Maker: Kieron Shaw

We sat down with our Business Development Manager, Kieron Shaw, to hear about his recent journey at Verallia and how he thinks Verallia’s latest ECOVA range will shake up the industry. From beer sales to glass bottle expertise, Kieron has over 10 years in the industry which is clearly demonstrated in his success at Verallia.

Hi Kieron, thanks for joining us today! To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

“Hello! So, before Verallia, I spent my time on the sales side of the drinks trade working with big names like Heineken and Douglas Laing & Co. Here, I not only learned about how brands are built and how sales are driven through great positioning, but also an understanding of what the customer is looking for in order to stand out from the competition. I still have a real love of the spirits industry and try to keep up to date with all things new. This experience, coupled with my knowledge of smaller distilleries, really prepared me for my current role.”

Can you explain to us what you do at Verallia?

“I’m part of the emerging brands team. My days are a mix of familiar and exciting – I work closely with brands, building relationships, and understanding their needs. It’s a dynamic role that definitely keeps me engaged!” It’s important to be aware of each of the customer needs as they will all be different, but my job is to bring their ideas to reality and make the brand stand out to the consumer

What do you enjoy most about working at Verallia?

“The people are one of the best things hands down. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and wants the whole team to succeed, with everyone from the sales team openly discussing successes and challenges across the whole national team. Plus, there is a wealth of expert knowledge to tap into – colleagues like Nolan Kane, Jonathan Culley, and Amanda Durkin have been really supportive. Even though I’m based in Scotland, I don’t feel removed from the team in England and Ireland.”

Now let’s talk about your clients. What are their top priorities when approaching Verallia?

“Many of them work with overseas manufacturers, often facing frustration with long lead times and subpar customer service. Verallia offers them British-made glass packaging with exceptional service, which resonates deeply. Additionally, smaller brands are increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint, they want to do the right thing, and we’re here to support their sustainable journey.”

Speaking of sustainability, are you excited about Verallia’s new sustainable off-the-shelf range: ECOVA?

“Absolutely! The ECOVA range is a fantastic talking point. The high cullet content and lighter weight is a major advantage to those looking to be more sustainable while still having a beautiful bottle.”

How do you see your clients responding to the ECOVA range?

“I believe it aligns perfectly with their brand and personal values. It also appeals to younger generations who are more environmentally conscious.”

How do you think ECOVA will impact the wider glass packaging manufacturing industry?

“I can see the high cullet content shaking things up. We’re already seeing a shift in focus towards a larger interest in recycled content across the industry, as well as a lower association with heavier bottles and quality glass. The release of ECOVA encapsulates both of these trends and is already influencing how customers perceive their choices when it comes to selecting glass bottles.”

Finally, what is your go-to drink?

“While I get to sample some amazing spirits all the time, my go to drink is a good pint of Tennent’s. But I will say that having the knowledge I do allows me to appreciate and discuss all kinds of beverages.”

Thanks for your insights Kieron!

If you’re looking to increase your sustainability credentials without compromising aesthetics, contact with our sales team and see how ECOVA could help.