HotSeat: Ivor Griffiths, Business Director – Polymer Engineering, Sierra 57 Consult

Ivor Griffiths joined Sierra 57 Consult, an IOM3-accredited training and development provider for the UK plastics industry, in 2021 as a Managing Consultant before moving up to General Manager of the Technical & Engineering Recruitment Division and now Business Director – Polymer Engineering. Ivor’s focus now is driving revenue and sales growth across the 3 main arms of the business: technical recruitment, onsite polymer training and mould contracting.

In this PlastikMedia HotSeat, Ivor Griffiths discusses how Sierra 57 Consult is fighting the skills shortage in the UK plastics industry by expanding its polymer training, technical recruitment, and mould contracting services. He reflects on the changes he’s seen at the company since joining the company, the value of technically experienced consultants, and the increasing demand for on‑site moulding support.

What trends do you think will shape the future of UK plastics? How will Sierra 57 Consult respond?

A common pain point for manufacturers within the plastics industry is the challenge of both finding and retaining the level of skilled technical people required to support business sustainability and growth. The growing shortage of technical skills within the industry is a topic which triggers passionate debate as we all strive for the answers on how we can attract more people into plastics manufacturing.

Historically a technical recruitment company supporting the plastics industry, witnessing first-hand the challenges brought about by the skills shortage, Sierra 57 has evolved into an Engineering Consultancy providing 3 main people solutions to the industry; Polymer Training, Technical Recruitment and Mould Contracting Services. To support the industry and the challenges faced by the skills shortage, our focus is on people; helping companies source the best talent, upskilling, developing and retaining their people and providing technical resource when required.

How has Sierra 57 Consult developed during your tenure?

When I began working with S57 in 2021, the Onsite Mould Training division of the business was taking shape, providing an alternative solution for those companies struggling to recruit by upskilling existing employees or employing lower-skilled / junior employees and training them to the level required. The Polymer Training Division has gone from strength to strength, delivering successful onsite training programmes across a broad range of sectors from trade moulders through to Tier 1 automotive & medical device manufacturers, whilst also developing synergy partnerships with leading IMM machinery OEMs. Due to customer demand S57’s training portfolio continues to expand with new modules and courses added across other polymer processing disciplines such as Blow Moulding and Extrusion, as well as Maintenance.

The technical recruitment division remains a core element of the business, with the team being further strengthened by the addition of experienced Mould Technicians who are well-equipped to understand customer requirements as well as identify and technically assess candidates. Our focus on assembling a team of consultants with good technical knowledge and background in the plastics industry enables us to fully understand our customers’ requirements, building long-term business relationships built upon trust and high-level communication.

Throughout 2025 and already into 2026 has also seen a sharp increase in our mould contracting business arm, where we have provided technical mould contracting services to support customers on tool transfer projects, integrating new tooling into production, long-term absenteeism, holiday cover and technical moulding support.

What do you credit as the key to your success?

Our small (but expanding) team at Sierra 57 are a very tight-knit, cohesive group all pulling together in the same direction with the same passion for the industry. Everybody within the business brings a different skillset and personality to the table, but all come with the same drive, positive attitude and will to support one another as we strive to provide the best services possible to our customers. We are constantly looking to evolve and improve the services we offer, working closely with our customers and industry peers on how to optimise our service offerings.

On a personal level, I have been lucky to work alongside and learn from some of the very best people, both from within S57 and also the wider industry, which continues to help shape my approach. Through Sierra 57, I have been given an excellent platform to further my personal development through our own training courses and also the opportunity to represent the company at industry events both in the UK and globally.

I am also very fortunate to have 2 young children, Dylan (4) and Ayda (almost 1), who are the ultimate motivation to succeed.

What has been the greatest challenge in your career?

Prior to joining Sierra 57 I was Production Manager for a small company for many years, where I learnt a lot about people management and how to empower and motivate people to get the best out of them. There was no greater example of this being put to the test than during the Covid pandemic. Due to the nature of the products we were supplying, we remained fully operational throughout the pandemic and the height of lockdown. The lack of real clarity and understanding at the time led to a workforce engulfed in uncertainty and trepidation, worrying about the health & safety of their families and questioning if they were doing the right thing being in work.

Thankfully, as a leadership team, we were able to act quickly, making all of the necessary provisions for the team to be able to work safely whilst maintaining full transparency and clarity of communications. Not only did we manage to overcome this challenging period for all, but the team also came out the other side a stronger, more unified group

What advice do you wish you’d had on entering the industry, and does that differ from the advice you would give to an apprentice joining now?

It is so important for any newcomer to the industry to be inquisitive, show interest and ask questions; take every opportunity offered to you for personal development, education and growth. There is a wealth of very passionate people within this industry, armed with a fountain of knowledge, ready to pass on to encourage and educate the Engineers of tomorrow.

I would also emphasise the importance of establishing relationships and building a network of contacts within the industry. You never know where there might be synergy or business opportunities down the line, and building those strong relationships and trust will only stand you in good stead.

What hidden talents do you have?

My teammates would certainly question me talking about cricket when discussing my talents, but I am the Club Captain for Churchdown Cricket Club in Gloucestershire, where I have played since I was 9 years old. I have led the 1st team to 3 promotions in the past 5 seasons and overseen significant development in our facilities, youth setup, social platform and revenue generation through recruiting sponsors and fundraising. My goal is to carry on playing long enough to one day play in the same team as my kids…

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