Spotlight on Chris Saunders, Managing Director at Roberts Metal Packaging
As part of our Spotlight series, we talk to Chris Saunders, Managing Director at Roberts Metal Packaging about the importance of his role and the challenges the metal packaging industry is facing today.
About the job…
- What is your current job title? What are your main responsibilities and tasks?
Hi, my name is Chris and I’m the Managing Director at Roberts Metal Packaging.
My priority each day is to check-in with staff making sure they have no issues and are well supported. I spend the rest of my time on strategic planning, business and product development and customer/supplier relationship building.
- What motivates/inspires you about your job? What aspects are your greatest source of a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment and pride?
Throughout my time at Roberts Metal Packaging, I have consistently sought to create a team orientated environment. I firmly believe that we operate as one cohesive team, and I am committed to supporting every colleague, regardless of their position or level. I am increasingly proud of my evolving team, we at Roberts very much envelop the whole ‘no I in team’ attitude.
- What changes have you seen during your career in the metal packaging industry?
Over the course of my career in the packaging industry it has changed massively. When I was growing up supermarkets and corner shops used paper and metal packaging for groceries, and then, as plastic became increasingly popular as a packaging material from the late 70s significant changes affect the metal packaging industry. I would say that over the last decade or so there have been increasing efforts for a shift back to metal packaging as a predominant material – especially with the concerns for sustainability.
- What challenges is the metal packaging industry facing?
The packaging industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly since the Covid pandemic. This crisis led to a decline in demand for health and beauty products, as consumer priorities shifted during uncertain times. More recently, the cost-of-living crisis has further influenced spending behaviours, as a result the packaging sector has had to adapt.
Recent changes in legislation for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have meant that the differences in fees could lead retailers to choose materials that are less circular than metal. Setting fair and sustainable EPR fees will be crucial to building a circular economy. Through our commitment to the industry, along with our active involvement with the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA), we hope to drive the necessary changes needed within EPR policies to protect metal packaging.
- What advice would you give to students who are thinking of joining the packaging industry?
My key advice for anyone considering a career in the packaging industry is to bring your passion with you. There’s an outdated notion that manufacturing careers are somehow ‘secondary,’ but that couldn’t be further from the truth. At Roberts, our team’s dedication and work ethic reflect the value and impact of this industry every day. Manufacturing offers tremendous opportunities for professional growth, teamwork, and skill-building. It provides younger generations with clear paths for advancement, a diverse and inclusive environment, and a chance to contribute meaningfully to a thriving, essential field.
- Have you got any hobbies outside of work?
In my free time, I am an avid golfer, however, my main passion is gardening and horticulture. My wife and I spend a lot of time in Perthshire in Scotland, walking and spending time outdoors.