Glass Containers

The Glass container manufacturing sector is a specialised area that has only one major supplier in New Zealand: Owens –Illinois NZ Ltd (O-I). 

O-I is also the largest manufacturer of glass containers in the world with leading positions in North America, South America, and Asia Pacific, as well being the only supplier in New Zealand. O-I has over 100 manufacturing plants on five continents and employs nearly 30,000 people.

The New Zealand plant is based in Penrose, Auckland and has been established since 1922 when it was branch of the Australian Glass Manufacturing Company.

The Asia-Pacific region represents over 10% of O-I worldwide sales, generating revenue in excess of  US $780 million.  Major production lines include containers for food, beer, beverages, spirits, and wines. It is enjoying substantial growth with production capacity expected to increase by around 50% in the next few years.
Career options at O-I are exciting as it is the only company in New Zealand manufacturing glass.  Because glass is made from silica and other ingredients that need to be melted before being formed into containers there are specialised skills required at the ‘hot’ end.  Quality assurance is also an important aspect of glass container manufacture.

Click here to see the qualifications you can attain for work in the glass container manufacturing industry

For more information on the glass container manufacturing industry visit O-I’s
website: www.o-i.com