TPT September 2024

INTERVIEW

Orbia Polymer Solutions (Alphagary)

• The growing emphasis on sustainability across industries is likely to influence growth and change. This trend toward sustainable solutions not only aligns with corporate social responsibility initiatives, but also addresses consumer preferences for products with a lower carbon footprint. • Regulatory requirements, particularly in the realm of environmental standards and product safety, are crucial considerations. Compliance with evolving regulations ensures product quality, safety and environmental sustainability, which are increasingly prioritised by both regulators and consumers. n What is the toughest aspect of your job? And what is the most difficult thing about being in a position of responsibility at such a large company? The toughest challenge I face on a daily basis is the time difference between our manufacturing facilities since they are located in different regions of the world. Depending on where I wake up, my time zone could be hours ahead or hours behind the action. But this also means that we are servicing customers locally, which is a huge benefit especially with time-critical challenges. n What’s the most exciting or challenging project or challenge you have been involved in during your career so far? There have been so many exciting and challenging developments, it’s hard to choose just one! What comes immediately to mind is the current capacity challenge we’re facing in the US. We’re working hard to shorten lead times but right now it seems as though we are juggling every day to ensure customers are happy. Our capacity expansion projects are coming onboard soon, but not soon enough. Santiago Urbina Castilleja Vice-president commercial, Orbia Polymer Solutions (Alphagary) Much of my career has been with Orbia’s Polymer Solutions business Alphagary. Over many years, I worked in a wide variety of roles, providing me with a very diverse background and set of skills that greatly contributes to my role today. Starting in materials management and R&D engineering, and then moving to sales management and eventually serving as vice president of global sales, I can leverage my extensive experience to drive international sales strategies and achieve organisational growth. I earned a chemical engineering bachelor’s degree from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Tamaulipas, Red de Universidad Anahuac, graduating with honours. I later earned a master’s in finance from Universidad Anahuac.

n What is the worst crisis you have faced – and what is the best lesson you learned from the tough moments? I’ve found that the “worst” crisis is the one you are dealing with at the moment! The best lesson I’ve learned from these, and other tough moments, is to be respectful, ask good questions, and to listen closely. As leaders, we can learn many important details from our team, we just need to be patient enough and willing enough to listen. I think the worst crisis I could face as a leader is for someone to get hurt at work. Thankfully, our health and safety teams are actively engaged to eliminate risk and be sure we all go home in the same condition we came to work. n How do you see the tube and pipe industry changing over the next few years following the global recession and the recent pandemic? What do you think the tube industry in general can learn for the future? I think the pandemic accelerated the pace of what was already going to happen, even with slower-to move industries: we must embrace agility and digital transformation, but without losing the human touch. This means that our processes must be robust and our willingness to respond quickly must be energised every day. But we can’t get lost behind emails, chat bots and website forms. We are still responsible to be available to our customers. n What advice would you give to someone trying to make it in the tube industry as you did yourself? If a student or young person wanted to get involved what should they do to succeed? Sign up for an apprenticeship and come to work willing to learn. When you find an organisation that is willing to teach, mentor and coach, take full advantage of the opportunity to learn different aspects of the business. This experience will help you make better decisions and operate with empathy (because you know what it’s like to stand in someone else’s shoes). Being in a customer-facing role is hugely beneficial, even if that is where you won’t end up staying. It’s beneficial because every job in an organisation depends on satisfied customers who purchase your product.

Orbia Polymer Solutions (Alphagary) www.orbia.com www.alphagary.com

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