Pilkington boss says new era will see 'legacy of innovation' continue

The Star reported in February after the Watson Street Works, which pioneered the modern method of glass manufacturing used around the world, ceased production for the final time.

Operations move to the Greengate site in the town as part of a project that Pilks says represents one of the single biggest investments the manufacturer has made in the UK in decades.

Watson Street Works, operated by Pilkington, part of the NSG Group, has operated in St Helens since 1826. It is where Sir Alastair Pilkington invented the modern float glass process, which revolutionised the way flat glass was produced.

The Watson Street site has ceased productions (Image: Stock)

Managing director Neil Syder Neil said that while it was an “emotional” day as production ceased at Watson Street, there is “excitement” about the future and “continuing” the Pilkington legacy.

“I’m excited about the future to be honest,” said Neil, from Eccleston Park, who has a long family history associated with Pilkington through his father and grandfather. Also, two of his aunties worked in the typing hall at Pilks.  

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The glass giant is upgrading its Greengate furnace to accommodate the site’s continued production of float glass, as well as the additional manufacturing line from Watson Street. Pilkington said all jobs have been retained as part of the move, which sees the team of around 74 workers move to Greengate.

Operations have moved to the Greengate site (Image: Stock)

The project will receive a £3.7m grant via the government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IEFT), which helps cover the costs of industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects in the UK.

Pilks’ innovation was also in evidence when in 2021 it completed several world-first trials of low carbon biofuel and zero carbon hydrogen fuels to fire its glass furnace.

Pilkington has a long proud history of innovation in St Helens (Image: Stock)

“Having a texture line at the side of the float line, I’m not saying it hasn’t been done before but it’s quite an innovative way of producing glass,” added Neil, 53.

“I think repairing that line would have been a disservice to our forefathers, it would have been stuck in the past.

“What we are doing is continuing the innovation, it’s what St Helens has been all about.

“That is how I’m explaining it to the team.

“It’s not closing, it’s just moving. It solidifies the Pilkington footprint.”