12 Apr

Meet the Maker – Mould Shop

Next up in our ‘Meet the Maker’ series, we are going into Verallia’s Mould Shop to meet Ian Appleyard, who works to ensure all the moulds are expertly prepared and so we make the highest quality glass packaging to bring our customers’ brands to life.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I started my career as an Apprentice Engineer in 1979 for a company called Werneth Engineering, who then made moulds for the glass container industry.  This means I have worked solely within the mould industry for a staggering 43 years.   Here, I was given the most thorough training, learning how to hand engrave mould equipment, also machining and fitting which means I am expert in all aspects of mould making. In 1998 I brought my expertise to Gregg and Company being employed as a Mould Shop Chargehand, and as they say ‘the rest is history’, my current role being Verallia’s Mould Shop Manager for both the Leeds and Knottingley sites.

Can you explain your job role at Verallia to me? What does your typical day look like?

The Mould Shop is essential to the manufacturing process as it is responsible for the maintenance of all the mould equipment and its’ ancillary parts. We are therefore a very well-resourced department, recent significant investment in three machines for both the milling and turning of mould equipment, meaning we are capable of quickly adapting to specific customer requirements.

A typical day at work for me involves every aspect of managing the department from ensuring the highest standards of health and safety to ensuring that each IS machine is supplied with the mould equipment they need to effectively run each job.

What do you enjoy the most about working at Verallia?

I enjoy being able to support and see the younger members of our workforce growing and evolving into credible apprentices and then on to be fully competent engineers.

I am always working to instil ‘pride of work’ into every member of my team.  I honestly believe that motivation creates pride and pride leads to excellent workmanship, which is the basis of the exceptional quality we produce at Verallia.

What trends do you see happening within the glass industry?

Growth!

Over the years, I have seen the demand grow for high quality glass containers which has had a knock-on effect on the way the department performs. With the help of the Site Manager, we have continuously invested in machinery to update the shop and created a department that performs to provide a superior, more efficient material flow which ultimately provides a smarter way of working at every stage of the operation.

What is the most exciting project you have worked on?

I would say that my continued work to develop our young workforce is my highlight and definitely the most exciting project within the business.

If you missed them, check out our previous Meet the Maker articles on our blog page here.

Verallia is dedicated to bringing the world’s most prestigious brands to life, and our employees are at the centre of this.

Happy International Whisky Day! 🥃

A day to celebrate the craft of distilling one of the world’s most beloved spirits. Whisky has truly carved a place for itself as a staple in the spirit sector. The base of iconic cocktails, a strong contender when drank alone, this spirit is one of the greats.

With a strong Yorkshire heritage @WhittakersDistillery creates high-quality, artisanal whisky, bottling the abundant landscape found in the region. They’ve created the first ever single malt produced in the Yorkshire Dales.

For their unique, quality spirit, they partnered with us to deliver their high-end glass packaging. A classic shape, beautifully showcasing their unique whisky. The bottle features the emblem, ‘W’ embossed on the neck, as well as ‘Whittaker’ embossed around the base of the bottle.

Celebrating an exquisite spirit, and a Yorkshire icon, cheers to International Whisky Day! 🥃

#Whisky #InternationalWhiskyDay #Yorkshire #WestYorkshire #WhiskyDistillers #GlassBottle
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Pioneers in the spirit sector, @BurntFaith is the UK’s first brandy house. Inspired by passion shown in the Cognac region of France, they sought to unlock the real potential of brandy.

Housed in their bespoke bottle, their latest collaboration with the @EastLondonLiquor Company and @TheOrchardProject not only looks great, but is for a great cause.

In the spirit of keeping the legacy alive, Burnt Faith will be donating all the proceeds from this brandy to @TheOrchardProject, dedicated to restoring community orchards.

#Brandy #BurntFaith #Spirit #SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging
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Making Aberdeenshire history, @EskerSpirits is the first craft distillery in the region.

They are specialists in enhancing classic spirits with fruit flavours, perfect for cocktails and pairing beautifully with mixers. To give their spirits a unique edge, they infuse silver birch sap to deliver a distinctive, silky texture.

Esker Spirits partnered with Verallia for their standout packaging, choosing a supplier who shares their passion for sustainability. Their spirit is showcased in our ‘Patet’ bottle from our ECOVA range, and finished with a frosted spray and white ‘ESKER’ print they have made the bottle their own.

Tall, slender, and sustainable, the Patet is a truly elegant glass bottle. Composed of over 50% cullet and weighing just 500g, the Patet reflects commitment to sustainability.

An excellent choice for an opulent spirit!

#SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #Sustainability
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‘Passionate about glass. Inspired by you.'

On International Women’s Day, we recognise the innovation, determination, and passion our female employees bring to our team.

Verallia aims to have 35% of women in managerial positions by the end of 2025. We are proud of our commitment to becoming a reference employer for women and have taken action to set objectives for greater gender parity in our organisation.

“Verallia launched their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charter in late 2024 which details their commitment to DE&I which includes becoming a reference employer for women, offering equal opportunities and fighting against all forms of discrimination all of which are integral to accelerating gender equality. As we move forward in this journey, we seek to share knowledge and learning opportunities at all levels of the organisation in order to ensure that inclusion is considered not just in the workplace, but in society as a whole.”
-Emma Griffiths, Occupational Health & Well-Being Partner, Verallia UK

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025! 🙌

#IWD #InternationalWomen’sDay2025 #InternationalWomen’sDay #Diversity’
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March begins by marking International Irish Whiskey Day. A true celebration of Ireland's heritage, abundance of landscapes, and pioneering whiskey.

Founded by Stuart McNamara, International Irish Whiskey Day is celebrated two weeks before St. Patrick's Day, and honours the culture and science behind this unique craft.

Today, Irish whiskey is a beloved spirit, celebrated across the globe. The spirit is enjoyed for its unique, smooth and light taste, giving it pride of place on any bar.

Let’s raise a glass to a true Irish art from! 🥃

#InternationalIrishWhiskeyDay #IrishWhiskey #Spirit #SpiritSector #Ireland #GlassPackaging
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@IsleofBarraDistillers are true innovators in the gin sector, bottling up Scottish botanicals. However, tapping into their Scottish heritage, they have released their exclusive Blended Whiskies 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃

Verallia produced their decadent packaging to reflect their coastal heritage. The bottle’s beautiful textured glass is designed to mirror the Atlantic Ocean.

Composed of over 50% cullet, their bottle weighs 17% less than their previous edition, successfully reducing their carbon impact.

#Whisky #GlassPackaging #Glass #PremiumPackaging #Recycled
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8 0

Making waves in the No-Lo scene, @WavelengthDrinks is creating a refined taste experience for non-drinkers.

Carefully crafted in Cornwall, Wavelength Drinks dedicate 4-6 weeks to a quality production process, before their liquid is double fermented for 30 days. Their thorough process unlocks a unique flavour, standing out among competitors.

A premium spirit requires premium packaging. Which is why Wavelength Drinks partnered with Verallia for their Amber Digestif bottle. Chosen from our Selective Line, our ‘Hayyan’ bottle stands strong as the ideal vessel. A simplistic shape that showcases this spirit with ease.

Looking for versatile, high-quality packaging? Discover our Selective Line today, in the link in our bio 🔗

#GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #PremiumPackaging #NoLo
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A cut above the rest.

Our Selective Line is a reflection of our years of experience designing stunning bottles for every spirit. This collection offers a sleek, premium appearance to suit any luxury spirit. We have a wide range of elegant shapes, the perfect vessel to showcase your premium product.

@EdenMill chose the ‘Lax’ bottle from our Selective Line to display their spirit: The Guard Bridge. Encasing the whisky, the Lax is a timeless, square-shaped bottle with rounded corners for a seamless feel. Deserving of centre stage on any busy bar shelf, this is a bottle made to stand out.

Whether you’re a No-Lo brand looking to make a bold statement, or a whisky specialist aiming to reflect your heritage through your packaging, our Selective Line has the packaging for you.

Explore the full selection. in the link in our bio 🔗

#PremiumGlassPackaging #PremiumPackaging #Glass #Bottle #GlassBottle
...

5 0

Follow Us

Happy International Whisky Day! 🥃

A day to celebrate the craft of distilling one of the world’s most beloved spirits. Whisky has truly carved a place for itself as a staple in the spirit sector. The base of iconic cocktails, a strong contender when drank alone, this spirit is one of the greats.

With a strong Yorkshire heritage @WhittakersDistillery creates high-quality, artisanal whisky, bottling the abundant landscape found in the region. They’ve created the first ever single malt produced in the Yorkshire Dales.

For their unique, quality spirit, they partnered with us to deliver their high-end glass packaging. A classic shape, beautifully showcasing their unique whisky. The bottle features the emblem, ‘W’ embossed on the neck, as well as ‘Whittaker’ embossed around the base of the bottle.

Celebrating an exquisite spirit, and a Yorkshire icon, cheers to International Whisky Day! 🥃

#Whisky #InternationalWhiskyDay #Yorkshire #WestYorkshire #WhiskyDistillers #GlassBottle
...

6 0

Pioneers in the spirit sector, @BurntFaith is the UK’s first brandy house. Inspired by passion shown in the Cognac region of France, they sought to unlock the real potential of brandy.

Housed in their bespoke bottle, their latest collaboration with the @EastLondonLiquor Company and @TheOrchardProject not only looks great, but is for a great cause.

In the spirit of keeping the legacy alive, Burnt Faith will be donating all the proceeds from this brandy to @TheOrchardProject, dedicated to restoring community orchards.

#Brandy #BurntFaith #Spirit #SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging
...

8 1

Making Aberdeenshire history, @EskerSpirits is the first craft distillery in the region.

They are specialists in enhancing classic spirits with fruit flavours, perfect for cocktails and pairing beautifully with mixers. To give their spirits a unique edge, they infuse silver birch sap to deliver a distinctive, silky texture.

Esker Spirits partnered with Verallia for their standout packaging, choosing a supplier who shares their passion for sustainability. Their spirit is showcased in our ‘Patet’ bottle from our ECOVA range, and finished with a frosted spray and white ‘ESKER’ print they have made the bottle their own.

Tall, slender, and sustainable, the Patet is a truly elegant glass bottle. Composed of over 50% cullet and weighing just 500g, the Patet reflects commitment to sustainability.

An excellent choice for an opulent spirit!

#SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #Sustainability
...

4 0

‘Passionate about glass. Inspired by you.'

On International Women’s Day, we recognise the innovation, determination, and passion our female employees bring to our team.

Verallia aims to have 35% of women in managerial positions by the end of 2025. We are proud of our commitment to becoming a reference employer for women and have taken action to set objectives for greater gender parity in our organisation.

“Verallia launched their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charter in late 2024 which details their commitment to DE&I which includes becoming a reference employer for women, offering equal opportunities and fighting against all forms of discrimination all of which are integral to accelerating gender equality. As we move forward in this journey, we seek to share knowledge and learning opportunities at all levels of the organisation in order to ensure that inclusion is considered not just in the workplace, but in society as a whole.”
-Emma Griffiths, Occupational Health & Well-Being Partner, Verallia UK

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025! 🙌

#IWD #InternationalWomen’sDay2025 #InternationalWomen’sDay #Diversity’
...

9 0

March begins by marking International Irish Whiskey Day. A true celebration of Ireland's heritage, abundance of landscapes, and pioneering whiskey.

Founded by Stuart McNamara, International Irish Whiskey Day is celebrated two weeks before St. Patrick's Day, and honours the culture and science behind this unique craft.

Today, Irish whiskey is a beloved spirit, celebrated across the globe. The spirit is enjoyed for its unique, smooth and light taste, giving it pride of place on any bar.

Let’s raise a glass to a true Irish art from! 🥃

#InternationalIrishWhiskeyDay #IrishWhiskey #Spirit #SpiritSector #Ireland #GlassPackaging
...

6 0

@IsleofBarraDistillers are true innovators in the gin sector, bottling up Scottish botanicals. However, tapping into their Scottish heritage, they have released their exclusive Blended Whiskies 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃

Verallia produced their decadent packaging to reflect their coastal heritage. The bottle’s beautiful textured glass is designed to mirror the Atlantic Ocean.

Composed of over 50% cullet, their bottle weighs 17% less than their previous edition, successfully reducing their carbon impact.

#Whisky #GlassPackaging #Glass #PremiumPackaging #Recycled
...

8 0

Making waves in the No-Lo scene, @WavelengthDrinks is creating a refined taste experience for non-drinkers.

Carefully crafted in Cornwall, Wavelength Drinks dedicate 4-6 weeks to a quality production process, before their liquid is double fermented for 30 days. Their thorough process unlocks a unique flavour, standing out among competitors.

A premium spirit requires premium packaging. Which is why Wavelength Drinks partnered with Verallia for their Amber Digestif bottle. Chosen from our Selective Line, our ‘Hayyan’ bottle stands strong as the ideal vessel. A simplistic shape that showcases this spirit with ease.

Looking for versatile, high-quality packaging? Discover our Selective Line today, in the link in our bio 🔗

#GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #PremiumPackaging #NoLo
...

2 0

A cut above the rest.

Our Selective Line is a reflection of our years of experience designing stunning bottles for every spirit. This collection offers a sleek, premium appearance to suit any luxury spirit. We have a wide range of elegant shapes, the perfect vessel to showcase your premium product.

@EdenMill chose the ‘Lax’ bottle from our Selective Line to display their spirit: The Guard Bridge. Encasing the whisky, the Lax is a timeless, square-shaped bottle with rounded corners for a seamless feel. Deserving of centre stage on any busy bar shelf, this is a bottle made to stand out.

Whether you’re a No-Lo brand looking to make a bold statement, or a whisky specialist aiming to reflect your heritage through your packaging, our Selective Line has the packaging for you.

Explore the full selection. in the link in our bio 🔗

#PremiumGlassPackaging #PremiumPackaging #Glass #Bottle #GlassBottle
...

5 0

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