glassware Interview


Housewares editor Bryony Andrews speaks to Lee Woodhall, brand manager at acclaimed glassware brand Ravenhead


factory in the town of St Helens, North West England. A lot of the brand’s early success was down to this very location, thanks to St Helens Industrial and coal- mining roots which provided access to many fuel supplies from the 14th century, and the Sankey Canal providing access to Liverpool and Cheshire markets. The business was then amalgamated with five other glass companies in 1913, to form United Glass Bottle Manufactures. This resulted in the investment of automatic bottle-making machines, revolutionising the speed of production and paving the way for the company to branch out into tableware such as bowls, jugs, and drinking glasses.


In the 1970s, Ravenhead was in its heyday as the largest maker of table glass in the UK, exporting to over 100 countries and producing 200 million glasses per year. Today, thanks to its foundations, Ravenhead® has built an enviable international reputation for high-quality glassware that combines strength and durability.


What is your role? Can you tell us about your background in the industry? Having joined the industry in 1990, my 32 years of experience have given me a unique understanding of the housewares industry.


My brand manager role has enabled me to develop innovative products that reflect modern day demands and to underpin the brand identity by introducing new photography styles, packaging and logos


What are consumers looking for in their glassware in 2022? What will be the top trends for the coming year? When it comes to choosing glassware, the quality of the product is a priority for many consumers, closely followed by design and functionality. In 2022, we have seen a rise in trends such as giftware ideas, colourful glassware, and in-home entertainment, with an increasing demand for serving pieces such as martini glasses, cocktail saucers, and gin balloons. This is something we can expect to continue into much of 2023.


What’s the Ravenhead story - how did the brand start off?


The Ravenhead story began in 1842 when founder Frances Dixon opened a glass


24 | housewareslive.net


something suited to everyone’s style. Sustainability is also a key factor for the brand, with some of our collections such as the Winchester and Mystique being made with at least 20% recycled glass.


What additional support do you offer retailers alongside your product ranges? We have a variety of Point of Sale available for retailers to gain access too. From header cards to shelf strips, these are a great way to make the Ravenhead brand stand out in store.


As well as this, we also have numerous Youtube videos available on our channel, including how to make the perfect cocktail while showcasing our fantastic ranges.


Tell me about your glassware offering - what sets you apart?


At Ravenhead, we’re committed to offering exceptional, long-lasting, and sophisticated drink and serveware, perfect for both everyday use and home entertaining. It is this commitment that I feel sets us apart from other brands. With a wide variety of high-quality and clarity glasses available at an affordable price, there is


• HousewaresLive.net


Ravenhead is known for its classic designs and great quality. What quality assurance measures do you take? Producing top-quality products is a priority for Ravenhead and as such we ensure all our products undergo a full inline quality check at our factories, as well as a secondary quality check at our Rayware Warehouse. These checks include everything from compliance and function testing to packaging checks.


What are your consistent bestsellers? Our gin balloons and cocktail glasses have proven very popular with consumers and


• twitter.com/Housewaresnews September/October 2022


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