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Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your career at SEKISUI so far?
My name is Mike George and I am the Vice President of Sekisui Specialty Chemicals Europe based in Terragona, Spain.. I started working for Sekisui in 2013 as the Commercial Director for our European business, then moving to a Global Marketing role 2 years later. In 2015, I took over the role as Vice President and have been doing it since then, in addition to my Marketing responsibilities.
What is your role as Vice President at Sekisui Specialty Chemicals?
My primary day to day activity involves working together with the various team members within the European organization such as Operations, Sales, Logistics, Finance and HR. Our main focus is to ensure we are operating safely at our plant in Tarragona, Spain, while at the same time working on initiatives that will improve the overall performance of our business. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions but the attitude and hard work of our team usually results in a positive outcome.
You are working at Sekisui Specialty Chemicals. What is the company doing?
Our primary activity is making polyvinyl alcohol resin, a chemical product which is used in multiple application areas. It finds uses in the manufacture of paper, adhesives, cements, cosmetics, water-soluble films as well as being a major raw material of polyvinyl butyral resin, a product manufactured by our sister company S-lec. Some of the products that you might be aware of that include polyvinyl alcohol are cosmetic face masks and toy slime. It really is everywhere!
What benefits do you offer to your customers?
We make a full portfolio of polyvinyl alcohol resins either at our plant in Spain or at our sister locations in the US. Our aim is to provide high quality products that can be used by customers across the world with unparalleled service, and we spend a lot of time talking to customers about future needs and development opportunities. We want to stay one step ahead and make sure we are developing materials for the future as well as for today.
If you had one wish regarding your business, what would it be?
Right now, our main goal is to build a successful, sustainable business that meets the needs of our customers across the world.
What is great about working for Sekisui Specialty Chemicals?
I have been in the unusual situation of having worked in the polyvinyl business under the ownership of three different companies. There is no doubt that SEKISUI is the best place for it to be! Being part of Sekisui in Europe makes me feel part of a much larger organization, sometimes when you’re focused on your own business you can forget about the size and strength of the Sekisui family, meeting colleagues in different businesses really helps me be excited about what we can achieve together in the future.
The level of support from our colleagues is excellent, and with S-lec being a key partner of ours, there is a lot of synergy.
What do you like most about your position as Vice President?
It’s a very typical answer I think, but the variety of activity is the best part. Working on investment plans, financial programs, HR activity, customer engagement – no two days are ever the same! It also gives me chance to work with people throughout our organization as well as colleagues in other Sekisui companies, both in Europe and Japan.
What was the best advice someone ever gave to you?
Do not confuse activity with achievement! It is important that everyone understands the value of the work they are doing, and that being busy doesn’t necessarily mean that the work is valuable, and it is important that we are always looking to focus on activities that will help us achieve success.
What did you always want to say to your team?
Be proud of what you, make sure you understand what you do and do and how it contributes to the success of the company you work for. Show respect to others you work with, both inside and outside your company. And perhaps most importantly: Have fun!
To be a part of the dynamic team at Sekisui Specialty Chemicals, visit our Careers page for information on benefits and current openings.