Meet the Maker: Rob Windley

For our next Meet the Maker, we’re visiting the design team to speak with Rob Windley, one of our NPD Designers here at Verallia to dig down into how our design team work to bring brands to life through the art of glass bottle design.  

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your history in the industry

I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in Product Design before starting at Verallia as a graduate NPD Designer.  

I have worked within the design team for the last 8 years, having the chance to work on glass design projects of varying levels of complexity and size. I’ve personally contributed to the company winning multiple awards for glass packaging and was lucky to have joined Verallia at a time when creativity in glass packaging had really taken off, so I have been able to get really creative in my work. It has been very exciting to have worked with customers and design agencies across the globe to bring to life many of the spirit bottles you would see in bars and shops across the UK. 

What does your role at Verallia entail? What does a typical day look like?

A typical day for me would include working on developing bottle designs for both new and existing customers. My days often include a mix of customer meetings, visiting our factories to make sure things are running smoothly for product samplings as well as running internal review meetings.   

What do you love about glass packaging design for the spirits industry?

Glass is a very intricate material and there is so much that can be achieved within the glass forming process to elevate a brand’s presence on the shelf. It’s great to see how the glass bottle can say so much about a brand’s story even before the consumer has even had a chance to read the label. There are so many spirits brands on the market now, that it is becoming much more important for brands to find new ways of standing out. And glass packaging has become a key factor in attracting consumers to buy a product. 

What is the greatest challenge you find in glass bottle design?

We are being constantly pushed and challenged by our customers to create new and innovative designs, but I personally find that this challenge is a great way to continue pushing the industry forward.   

One of the biggest challenges is often found in creating an iconic bottle that not only stands out on the shelf but will also stand the test of time. We need to be creating bottles that distilleries will still love far into the future. 

What does an emerging brand’s journey with Verallia typically look like?

It’s really exciting to work with new customers as there is so much we can do in the design team to craft a bottle that both works with their brand and stands out on the shelf. We also have the capabilities to service distilleries in different ways, either creating brand-new bespoke bottles or alternatively embellishing one of our premium standard bottles.  

Over the last few years, we have expanded our range of off-the-shelf premium standard glass bottles which tie in well with current market trends. But it’s important to remember that choosing a premium standard bottle doesn’t mean your bottle looks like the rest. Our decoration facility means that we can add individuality through embossing details or various printing techniques.   

What is the most exciting bottle design project you have worked on?

I’ve been fortunate to work on many exciting projects during my time at Verallia, and there are a lot of projects that stand out in terms of creativity in glass design. However, there are two recent projects in particular that come to mind because of how unique they are within their category. Those bottles are the Isle of Barra Gin and Wire Works Whiskey bottles, both of these projects definitely break the glass mould so to say and challenge the norm within their respective categories. 

If you could give a piece of advice to brands looking to create their own bespoke bottle design, what would it be?

There are so many great examples within the industry of what can be achieved with glass packaging and how far you can push the limits of glass bottle manufacture. However, I feel that if you are able to convey your brand message through the glass bottle design itself and make references to your brand story, this is what will make your brand unforgettable.  

What bottle design trends do you see happening within the industry?

Sustainability is definitely on everyone’s radar these days and there are no signs of this slowing down. There are challenges within the industry to reduce carbon emissions and we are actively working with our customers to explore ways of reducing glass weights whilst retaining brand appeal. 

Last but not least, what’s your drink of choice?

There are lots to choose from, but my go to is always a Rum and Coke.  My favourite rum of choice is definitely Barti Rum. 

Our design team consistently have their fingers on the pulse of the latest glass packaging trends and work hard with our customers to bring their brands to life. If you are looking for a glass manufacturer to help make your glass bottle stand out on the shelves, get in touch with a member of the team!