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Saint-Gobain Glass was named Glass Company of the Year and saw one of its key employees win the Unsung Hero category at the glass industry Oscars, the G22 Awards.

The awards took place in London on Friday 25th November, and was attended by more than 450 people from the fenestration industry.

Saint-Gobain Glass was recognised as the Glass Company of the Year for its commitment and investment in the industry.  Last year it invested more than £30 million in its site in Eggborough, which included the installation of a new state-of the-art float glass furnace,and refurbishment and redevelopment of associated areas of its factory. The project was one of the fastest ‘cold-repair’ upgrades of a float-glass furnace – 117 days’ glass-to-glass.

The investment has secured the long-term supply of consistently high-quality, high-performance glass for the UK’s glazing and window industry, cementing the company’s position as a critically important supplier to the sector.

Production Specialist Will Ruane was named the winner in the Unsung Hero category. He joined the company as an intern in finance department, took an interest in glass production and is now on a development and training programme to achieve a senior management role in Float Glass manufacturing.

He played a vital role in the project to install the new furnace. His dedication, work-ethic and infectious positive attitude helped the team to deliver a hugely complicated project on time and on budget against the additional complication of tight COVID working restrictions. 

He subsequently suffered a life-changing accident and is now wheelchair-bound but returned to work within six months and continues to be a valuable and proactive member of the team.

Steve Severs managing director at Saint-Gobain Glass said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team and hugely rewarding for Will.  The G22 Award comes immediately after winning two awards in the Glass Focus Awards where our project The Spark was awarded Design of the Year – Flat Glass, and we also won the Strengthening business through people award.

“These four awards have been won for our work and achievements during a couple of difficult years and demonstrate the commitment and resilience of the team – as well as the team’s continued passion for the industry.”

Photo shows: Left to right Comedian Hugh Dennis, presents the Glass Company of the Year award to Rich Wall, Commercial Director, Steve Severs, Managing Director, and Mike Butterick, Marketing Director at Saint-Gobain Glass