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.

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Boldly powered by women, beautifully made for the future.

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The result is a beautifully crafted bottle that balances premium design with environmental responsibility. One that resonated instantly with consumers, selling out in its first week.

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#DiddlySquat #ClarksonsFarm #GlassBottle #LuxuryPackaging #Gin
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A celebration of true Yorkshire heritage, @EllersFarmDistillery produces high-quality spirits in a range of flavours to suit every palate.

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Aligning with their sustainability ethos and B Corp status, Ellers Farm chose ‘Terra’ from our ECOVA range for their Y Gin.

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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.

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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’
...

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
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6 0

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