This year marks the 30th anniversary of Stoelzle’s glass packaging plant in Knottingley, UK. Stoelzle Glass Group CEO Dr August Grupp* outlines the upcoming investments at the site, which includes more sustainable melting technologies.
This year Stoelzle celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Stoelzle Flaconnage glass manufacturing site (Pic 1) in Knottingley, England, UK.
To commemorate the milestone, Stoelzle recently hosted a Family Day at the site, where employees and their families came together to mark 30 years of Stoelzle Flaconnage.
Dr August Grupp, Stoelzle Glass Group CEO (Pic 2), said: “Our employees are at the core of our success, and it was important to celebrate with them. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in shaping Stoelzle Flaconnage into the company it is today.”
One of the most important developments for the site in the past decade has been the plant’s transformation, evolving from a broad product portfolio to a dedicated focus on prestige spirits packaging. This shift has allowed the manufacturer to hone its expertise, strengthen its position in the market, and provide high quality products to its clients in the premium spirits industry.
Dr Grupp said: “It’s been an exciting journey, and this specialisation continues to drive innovation and growth for Stoelzle Flaconnage.”
Pic 1 - Stoelzle Flaconnage’s glass packaging plant in Knottingley, UK.
Stoelzle Flaconnage site
The Stoelzle Flaconnage site dates back to 1871, when it was first established by J.W. Bagley and Co. However, it did not become a part of the Stoelzle Glass Group until 1994.
In recent years, the site has been developed into a modern facility focused on producing high-quality glass packaging for the prestige spirits sector.
The site’s flint furnace is connected to five flexible production lines. At full capacity, the furnace can produce 200 tonnes of glass per day. Two of the outer machines are equipped with the capability to add colour to otherwise cosmetic flint glass.
Stoelzle’s quality processes, along with the advanced equipment used in the cold end for inspection and packaging, meet industry standards and are continuously enhanced through targeted investments.
Stoelzle Flaconnage began offering decoration services at its UK facility in the early 2000’s. This followed investments aimed at enhancing both production and decoration capabilities.
Currently, Stoelzle Flaconnage offers decoration processes such as screen printing, hot stamping, spraying, accessory application (gluing), labelling, and decals. All these processes are highly automated.
Aside from the standard decoration process, the manufacturer is also developing fully automated machinery for specific dedicated bottles, for brands including Sheridan’s, Monkey Shoulder, and Ciroc.
This guarantees Stoelzle’s customers an efficient supply chain in terms of costs and capacity. For example, the manufacturer has developed the capability to apply the Monkey Shoulder badge (Pic 3) to the bottle automatically using custom designed and built machinery. It will continue to develop and refine the badge application process to support the forecasted brand growth into the next decade.
Pic 2 - Dr August Grupp, Stoelzle Glass Group CEO.
Prestige bottles
The production of prestige bottles shares similarities with standard bottle manufacturing, but the focus shifts towards visual appeal and brand identity during the concept and design phases.
Dr Grupp said: “Prestige spirits bottles demand exceptional attention to detail, including aesthetic elements like colour, clarity, and overall quality.
"This emphasis is carried through to rigorous quality control inspections and downstream processes such as decoration and finishing, ensuring every bottle reflects the brand’s premium status.”
One of Stoelzle’s key advantages in this sector is its in-house design team, which generates original ideas to make clients’ bottles stand out. This internal expertise allows for the creation of bespoke designs that, not only meet aesthetic expectations, but also align with brand identity, giving Stoelzle’s clients a distinct edge in a competitive market.
The manufacturer’s key clients in the spirits market include Diageo, since the early 2000’s, WM Grant & Sons, R&A Bailey & CO, Chivas Brothers, Edrington Distillers, Irish Distillers and Neal’s Yard. It also works with many smaller local Irish and Scottish gin and whisky distilleries.
Pic 3 - The Monkey Shoulder bottle, including its badge of three monkeys.
The future
Dr Grupp said: “Like many industries, the glass industry has a challenging but interesting journey ahead. Mastering these and continuing to develop our products and processes will be our main task for the foreseeable future. This will involve, for example, investments in more climate-friendly melting technologies, restructuring of our site, as well as changes in our corporate management.”
Stoelzle aims to provide eco-friendly glass packaging by offering lightweight glass options, which reduce material usage while maintaining high-quality standards.
This goal aligns with the broader objective of reducing environmental impact across the glass production lifecycle. The company's targets include a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030, aiming for net zero by 2050.
Stoelzle is one of the few European glass manufacturers with climate targets recognised by SBTi. The company's sustainability strategy for the spirits industry extends beyond environmental goals, incorporating social responsibility and supply chain improvements.
Key focuses include reducing energy consumption, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and decarbonising operations. Projects have been implemented to improve energy efficiency, such as the introduction of a process and energy data management system, leading to measurable energy savings.
Looking forward, Stoelzle plans to invest in the electrification of its glass production, with a focus on maximising the efficient use of waste heat.
As a member of the International Partners in Glass Research (IPGR), Stoelzle is actively contributing to the development of an energy-efficient furnace, ensuring a sustainable future for spirits packaging.
*CEO, Stoelzle Glass Group, Köflach, Austria
Stoelzle Flaconnage, Knottingley, UK
