Allied Glass, the leading Yorkshire-based manufacturer of glass containers, has broken the £100 million sales barrier for the first time, driven by demand from overseas markets.
The company, acquired by private equity group Equistone Partners in 2010, saw turnover rise to £102million for the financial year ending December 2012, continuing the growth seen in previous years.
The sales rise has been fuelled by demand for premium spirits in emerging markets such as China, India, Russia and South America.
The firm has just completed a multi-million pound investment into its site in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, to boost production and keep up with the demand.
This included a furnace rebuild to increase capacity, reduce operational costs and improve overall environmental performance.
Steve O’Hare, non-executive director of Allied Glass and head of Equistone Partners in the North, said: “Allied Glass is a world-class manufacturer that has benefitted enormously from its flexible approach to design and manufacture,supporting its blue-chip customers as demand for premium spirits from emerging markets increases.
“Allied’s strategy remains one of investment for growth. This is demonstrated perfectly by the installation of new facilities at the Knottingley site to ensure the company continues to grow,” he added.
The company, which employs more than 650 staff at its sites in Knottingley and Leeds, supplies glass to contain the products of many of the world’s leading brands.
These include Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker owner Diageo, William Grant & Sons and Whyte & Mackay.
Philip Morris, sales and marketing director of Allied Glass, said capitalising further on international demand is a priority.
“Our latest investment has been planned to ensure that we have the ability to respond to the future needs of our international customer base and continue with our ambitious growth plans,” he said.
