From new tech to new talent – the Glass Focus Awards 2017 celebrated innovation and excellence across glass manufacturing.
Friends and colleagues gathered to applaud worthy winners across seven categories – and recognise the creativity and dedication which underpin the whole sector’s contribution to the economy, to society and to customers, staff and stakeholders.
The black-tie awards ceremony was held on 15 June at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, at the centre of the country’s great east-west glass manufacturing corridor – where nine out of ten of the UK’s largest glass manufacturers have production sites.
Following judging by a panel of glass industry experts – the winners in the seven categories were:
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Category |
Sponsored by |
Winner |
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Daedalian Glass Studios |
Stölzle Glass Group for the skilful and beautiful Squadron 303 Vodka bottle. |
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KiWi Power Ltd |
Encirc for investment in an on-site railhead at their Elton plant that has saved millions of road miles. |
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Flexion Global |
Ardagh Group for a multi-faceted, plant-wide strategy with excellent results. |
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Glass Technology Services Ltd |
AMETEK Land for innovative use of real-time, in-furnace thermal imaging in a project with Encirc and Simpson Combustion and Energy. |
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Glass Futures Ltd |
Encirc for a two-pronged initiative using easy-to access learning for the wider workforce, and intensive technical training for hand-picked talent. |
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The Worshipful Company of |
Samantha Coolledge of Saint-Gobain for her leadership, project management skills and ongoing commitment to her own development. |
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British Glass |
Saint-Gobain for aspirational commitment to staff wellbeing, continuous improvement in their own production processes and contribution to sector representation. |
Speaking at the event, managing director of Encirc and British Glass president Adrian Curry highlighted the importance of the industry being united.
British Glass chief executive Dave Dalton said:
“The entries to these awards showcase clear examples of the glass industry’s commitment to serve its customers, protect and invest in its workforce and reduce environmental impact. Our world is volatile and uncertain; but I am a passionate believer that this industry – and the properties of glass itself – will provide solutions to some of the key problems society will face in coming decades. British Glass is proud to celebrate the achievements of the Glass Focus Award winners – and to keep on using the evidence from our members and the wider supply chain to ensure we get the best for our industry.”
Notes
The Glass Focus Awards is an annual event organised by British Glass and supported by Glass Worldwide. Each year the awards recognise and celebrate excellence across the glass industry.
To request high resolution images please email prcomms@britglass.co.uk
British Glass is the industry’s representative body – providing insight, intelligence and leadership. It works with all parts of the supply chain to ensure that glass manufacturing, particularly in the UK, has the resources, influence and skills to remain commercially successful, innovative and sustainable.
The UK glass industry makes an important contribution to the UK economy – creating gross added value of more than £400m per annum and providing around 6000 direct jobs (with an estimated 150,000 further jobs contingent on these).
