Job Role

Managing Director

Company

Polypipe Building Products

What attracted you to the plastics industry in the first place?

I studied Product Design at Northumbria University and it always struck me that plastics offered more creative opportunities for design than traditional materials. The myriad of different polymers and their properties coupled with the fascinating variety of manufacturing processes gave seemingly limitless possibilities.

How did your career move forward?

I joined Polypipe as a Product Design & Development Engineer. This initial role allowed me to take my designs from concept all the way through to mass production. As I was intimately involved in every step of the process this opened my eyes to the fact that excellent design is not just about designing products; it’s about designing the whole process that manufactures the product as well, in order to create maximum value. From that point on I could see opportunities to apply what I had learned to different functions within the business and ultimately the business as a whole.

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

Don't be afraid to fail. Find out what really inspires you, educate yourself to the highest level and pursue it with vigour and enthusiasm. You'll be amazed how far that can take you.

What do you like about working in the plastics industry?

Innovation in new materials and processes is a continual inspiration for bringing new products to market and gaining competitive advantage over traditional materials. Breaking new ground is not without risk but it is very rewarding, giving the team a real sense of achievement and that's what makes it enjoyable.

How do you think the plastics industry will change in the next 5 years?

New technology will continue to disrupt and challenge the industry norms. We will see leaps in 3D manufacturing, further digitisation with the rise of Industry 4.0. and in my view these innovations should be embraced. After all innovation is what this industry is all about.

Wondering where you could fit into the industry? Head over to our Career Pathways to plot your journey now!