Breaking the Mould https://sierra57.podbean.com Breaking the Mould is the podcast exploring the future of the plastics and manufacturing industries through the people driving change.

Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, manufacturers, educators, policymakers, training providers, innovators and emerging talent, discussing the issues shaping modern manufacturing - from injection moulding, automation and sustainability to skills, apprenticeships, leadership, education and workforce development.

Whether you're a manufacturer, engineer, recruiter, educator, student or simply interested in how British industry is evolving, Breaking the Mould offers practical insights, fresh perspectives and inspiring stories from across the sector.

Discover how innovation, collaboration and investment in people are helping to build a stronger, more sustainable and more skilled manufacturing future.

]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:38:00 +0100 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Business 1440 episodic katherinenowill katherinenowill No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22259132/Podcast.png Breaking the Mould https://sierra57.podbean.com 144 144 From Connections to Collaboration: Strengthening the UK Plastics Industry From Connections to Collaboration: Strengthening the UK Plastics Industry https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/from-connections-to-collaboration-strengthening-the-uk-plastics-industry/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/from-connections-to-collaboration-strengthening-the-uk-plastics-industry/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:38:00 +0100 sierra57.podbean.com/79552cca-e85f-3c5f-8bc5-fd57bf14def4 Strong industries are built on strong relationships. When people know one another, understand each other's challenges, and are willing to share ideas and expertise, they create a network of support that extends far beyond a single project or transaction.

Because when individuals connect, businesses collaborate. When businesses collaborate, knowledge is shared, innovation flourishes, opportunities are created, and the plastics industry becomes stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.

Join us at the Arburg/Sierra 57 Corporate Golf Day as we speak with some of the plastics industry's leading figures about the power of teamwork, collaboration, and business networking. Together, we explore how stronger partnerships can help reshape the conversation around plastics - highlighting an industry that is not defined by misconceptions, but by its essential role in supporting healthcare, food production, advanced manufacturing, and many of the UK's most critical sectors.

This episode is a celebration of the people behind the industry and the connections that drive innovation, strengthen businesses, and secure the future of UK manufacturing.

]]> Strong industries are built on strong relationships. When people know one another, understand each other's challenges, and are willing to share ideas and expertise, they create a network of support that extends far beyond a single project or transaction.

Because when individuals connect, businesses collaborate. When businesses collaborate, knowledge is shared, innovation flourishes, opportunities are created, and the plastics industry becomes stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.

Join us at the Arburg/Sierra 57 Corporate Golf Day as we speak with some of the plastics industry's leading figures about the power of teamwork, collaboration, and business networking. Together, we explore how stronger partnerships can help reshape the conversation around plastics - highlighting an industry that is not defined by misconceptions, but by its essential role in supporting healthcare, food production, advanced manufacturing, and many of the UK's most critical sectors.

This episode is a celebration of the people behind the industry and the connections that drive innovation, strengthen businesses, and secure the future of UK manufacturing.

]]> Join us at the Arburg/Sierra 57 Corporate Golf Day as we speak with some of the plastics industry’s leading figures about the power of teamwork, collaboration, and business networking. Together, we explore how stronger partnerships can help reshape the conversation around plastics. katherinenowill false No 1451 7 full Moulded by Legacy: A Father-Son Story Moulded by Legacy: A Father-Son Story https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/from-father-to-son-a-moulding-journey/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/from-father-to-son-a-moulding-journey/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:06:19 +0100 sierra57.podbean.com/65abcc2c-024f-30b1-bb86-ac3c2d5b606d For more than sixteen years, today’s guest has built his career in the plastics industry - gaining the kind of knowledge and experience that can only come from years on the shop floor, solving problems, refining processes, and mastering the art of moulding.

But his story isn’t just about the skills he’s developed or the challenges he’s overcome.

Perhaps one of his greatest achievements has been inspiring the next generation.

His son followed him into the trade, learning the craft first-hand and benefiting from something you simply can’t teach in a classroom: the guidance of a father who knows the industry inside and out.

Today, we’re going behind the scenes to explore his journey through the plastics industry, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what it’s like to pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

If you work in plastics, manufacturing, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind the people who keep our industry moving, you won’t want to miss this one.

]]> For more than sixteen years, today’s guest has built his career in the plastics industry - gaining the kind of knowledge and experience that can only come from years on the shop floor, solving problems, refining processes, and mastering the art of moulding.

But his story isn’t just about the skills he’s developed or the challenges he’s overcome.

Perhaps one of his greatest achievements has been inspiring the next generation.

His son followed him into the trade, learning the craft first-hand and benefiting from something you simply can’t teach in a classroom: the guidance of a father who knows the industry inside and out.

Today, we’re going behind the scenes to explore his journey through the plastics industry, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what it’s like to pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

If you work in plastics, manufacturing, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind the people who keep our industry moving, you won’t want to miss this one.

]]> katherinenowill false No 1460 8 full Why Industry Must Hire Smarter, Not Safer. Why Industry Must Hire Smarter, Not Safer. https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/sgh-moulds-intro-full/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/sgh-moulds-intro-full/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:16:02 +0100 sierra57.podbean.com/50fd11a2-8adb-3109-bd9c-4cf0cbd7b73d Across industry, businesses are facing one of the most challenging hiring markets in decades. Persistent skills shortages, an ageing workforce, evolving technologies, and increasing competition for experienced talent are forcing organisations to rethink how they attract and retain people.

Yet despite these pressures, many companies continue to hire 'safe' -prioritising direct industry experience over potential, adaptability, and transferable capability. In doing so, they may be overlooking an enormous pool of talent capable of driving innovation, productivity, and long-term growth.

In this episode, we explore why industry must shift towards hiring smarter, not safer. We discuss the growing importance of transferable skills, attitude, aptitude, and learning agility in building future-ready workforces, and how SGH Moulds has this strategy to a tee.

#SkillsGap #TransferableSkills #GrowthStrategies #Manufacturing

]]> Across industry, businesses are facing one of the most challenging hiring markets in decades. Persistent skills shortages, an ageing workforce, evolving technologies, and increasing competition for experienced talent are forcing organisations to rethink how they attract and retain people.

Yet despite these pressures, many companies continue to hire 'safe' -prioritising direct industry experience over potential, adaptability, and transferable capability. In doing so, they may be overlooking an enormous pool of talent capable of driving innovation, productivity, and long-term growth.

In this episode, we explore why industry must shift towards hiring smarter, not safer. We discuss the growing importance of transferable skills, attitude, aptitude, and learning agility in building future-ready workforces, and how SGH Moulds has this strategy to a tee.

#SkillsGap #TransferableSkills #GrowthStrategies #Manufacturing

]]> Across industry, businesses are facing one of the most challenging hiring markets in decades. Persistent skills shortages, an ageing workforce, evolving technologies, and increasing competition for experienced talent are forcing organisations to rethink how they attract and retain people. katherinenowill false No 1645 5 full The Polymer Advantage: Where Science Meets Innovation. The Polymer Advantage: Where Science Meets Innovation. https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/the-polymer-advantage-where-materials-science-meets-innovation/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/the-polymer-advantage-where-materials-science-meets-innovation/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:49:00 +0100 sierra57.podbean.com/4d798d4b-bedd-3065-b072-b67205600546 When most people think about polymers, they think about plastics. But behind nearly every breakthrough product - from electric vehicles and aerospace components to medical devices, packaging, electronics, and sustainable technologies - there’s a deep foundation of polymer materials science driving performance, scalability, and competitive advantage.

In this podcast, we explore why understanding polymers isn’t just for scientists in a lab. It’s essential knowledge for engineers, product developers, manufacturers, and business leaders who want to create smarter products, solve complex challenges, and unlock new market opportunities.

#MaterialsScience #PolymerEngineering #ProductDevelopment #InnovationPodcast

]]> When most people think about polymers, they think about plastics. But behind nearly every breakthrough product - from electric vehicles and aerospace components to medical devices, packaging, electronics, and sustainable technologies - there’s a deep foundation of polymer materials science driving performance, scalability, and competitive advantage.

In this podcast, we explore why understanding polymers isn’t just for scientists in a lab. It’s essential knowledge for engineers, product developers, manufacturers, and business leaders who want to create smarter products, solve complex challenges, and unlock new market opportunities.

#MaterialsScience #PolymerEngineering #ProductDevelopment #InnovationPodcast

]]> katherinenowill false No 1898 4 full Plastics - The Industry Behind Industry Plastics - The Industry Behind Industry https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/plastics-the-industry-behind-industry/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/plastics-the-industry-behind-industry/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:29:56 +0100 sierra57.podbean.com/7fb141f6-f288-310b-b4cb-af4a820f5ebb Too often, plastics are discussed only in terms of waste or consumer use. But this framing misses a critical reality: plastics are a foundational manufacturing industry, underpinning sectors from healthcare and automotive engineering to construction, aerospace, electronics, and food supply chains. In many ways, plastics are the enabling infrastructure of modern production - the industry behind the industries we rely on every day.

In this episode, we also turn to policy. Because despite its central role in economic resilience and industrial capability, plastics manufacturing is rarely recognised at government level as a strategic foundational sector in its own right. Instead, it is often treated as a subset of environmental regulation or waste management policy, rather than industrial strategy.

Some important links:

BPF Statement on BICS Scheme - https://www.bpf.co.uk/newsletter/article/british-industrial-competitiveness-scheme-bics-update.aspx

Outcome of BICS Consultation - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/british-industrial-competitiveness-scheme-consultation-on-scheme-eligibility-and-approach

Annex A (list of SIC Codes and HS Codes) for BICS - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69dfd498f5069cdc548688a4/annex-a-british-industrial-competitiveness-scheme-sic-hs-codes.ods

More Information on Operation Clean Sweep - https://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/Operation_Clean_Sweep.aspx

Sign up to Operation Clean Sweep - https://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/register-your-interest.aspx

BPF Key Policy Requests - https://www.bpf.co.uk/policy/requests.aspx

Stabilise and Grow: An Action Plan for the UK Plastics Recycling Sector - https://www.bpf.co.uk/Publications/stabilise-and-grow.aspx

]]> Too often, plastics are discussed only in terms of waste or consumer use. But this framing misses a critical reality: plastics are a foundational manufacturing industry, underpinning sectors from healthcare and automotive engineering to construction, aerospace, electronics, and food supply chains. In many ways, plastics are the enabling infrastructure of modern production - the industry behind the industries we rely on every day.

In this episode, we also turn to policy. Because despite its central role in economic resilience and industrial capability, plastics manufacturing is rarely recognised at government level as a strategic foundational sector in its own right. Instead, it is often treated as a subset of environmental regulation or waste management policy, rather than industrial strategy.

Some important links:

BPF Statement on BICS Scheme - https://www.bpf.co.uk/newsletter/article/british-industrial-competitiveness-scheme-bics-update.aspx

Outcome of BICS Consultation - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/british-industrial-competitiveness-scheme-consultation-on-scheme-eligibility-and-approach

Annex A (list of SIC Codes and HS Codes) for BICS - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69dfd498f5069cdc548688a4/annex-a-british-industrial-competitiveness-scheme-sic-hs-codes.ods

More Information on Operation Clean Sweep - https://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/Operation_Clean_Sweep.aspx

Sign up to Operation Clean Sweep - https://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/register-your-interest.aspx

BPF Key Policy Requests - https://www.bpf.co.uk/policy/requests.aspx

Stabilise and Grow: An Action Plan for the UK Plastics Recycling Sector - https://www.bpf.co.uk/Publications/stabilise-and-grow.aspx

]]> katherinenowill false No 2830 3 full Opening Doors to the Future of Plastics Opening Doors to the Future of Plastics https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/opening-doors-to-the-future-of-plastics/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/opening-doors-to-the-future-of-plastics/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:06:18 +0100 sierra57.podbean.com/4e839f40-c6a1-3a2c-9214-7fdd53722563 The future of plastics depends on the people we inspire today. By opening doors early, sharing real-world experience, and showing what’s possible in modern industry, we build confidence, capability, and ambition through training and mentorship. This episode explores how Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) is inspiring and equipping the next generation to thrive in the plastics industry, and why that responsibility belongs to all of us.

]]> The future of plastics depends on the people we inspire today. By opening doors early, sharing real-world experience, and showing what’s possible in modern industry, we build confidence, capability, and ambition through training and mentorship. This episode explores how Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) is inspiring and equipping the next generation to thrive in the plastics industry, and why that responsibility belongs to all of us.

]]> The future of plastics depends on the people we inspire today. By opening doors early, sharing real-world experience, and showing what’s possible in modern industry, we build confidence, capability, and ambition through training and mentorship. katherinenowill false No 2689 2 full Filling to Holding: Why the Switch Matters Filling to Holding: Why the Switch Matters https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/filling-to-holding-why-the-switch-matters/ https://sierra57.podbean.com/e/filling-to-holding-why-the-switch-matters/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:55:43 +0100 katherinenowill.podbean.com/1f87efed-0614-3ee1-b95c-d6f66a87611c In this episode, James Hayward explores one of the most critical yet misunderstood stages of injection moulding: the transition from filling to holding. Learn how transfer settings influence part quality, process stability, and consistency, and understand the roles of position, pressure, and time. Gain practical insights to reduce variation, improve quality, and achieve greater control of your moulding process.

]]> In this episode, James Hayward explores one of the most critical yet misunderstood stages of injection moulding: the transition from filling to holding. Learn how transfer settings influence part quality, process stability, and consistency, and understand the roles of position, pressure, and time. Gain practical insights to reduce variation, improve quality, and achieve greater control of your moulding process.

]]> In this episode we explore one of the most critical yet misunderstood stages of injection moulding: the transition from filling to holding. Learn how transfer settings influence part quality, process stability, and consistency, and understand the roles of position, pressure, and time. katherinenowill false No 1298 1 full