I started working for the chemical manufacturer Monsanto Chemical in 1972. I was employed in Everett MA for 20
years when the plant closed. While I was in Everett MA I have held various Team Lead positions in Scripsets, Dequest, and
Plasticizer, while employed by Monsanto. I relocated to Springfield Mass in 1993. Since relocating in 1993, I have been the
Team Lead for a resin plant manufacturing PVB (Polyvinyl butyral)resin. IN 1997 Monsanto spun off its chemical business which
I was part of and the new company was named Solutia.
The resin we make is primarily used in windshields of cars
to help minimize injuries during an accident. There are many other applications for this resin we produce, such as hurricane
glass, special adhesives, and possibly solar panels. As a team lead for any large manufacturing plant, life is never
dull, you always need to develop new skills to stay ahead of the competition, and proactive companies demand it or be left
behind. I am able to use much of the new software for tracking, monitoring and verifying process conditions. Over the years
I have witnessed vast improvements with process controls. Working for Solutia demands much of my time to be used working on
a proactive safety culture. Safety plays a very important role in the organization. Continuous improvement is demanded in
all areas with safety being the foundation for any and all changes or improvements.
Team Leads provide the avenue
to have operator issues resolved. The operators most likely will help determine what outcome will be needed to bring closure
to any problem. As a Solutia Team Lead I've enjoyed the great experience of working with what I consider to be the BEST of
the Best, whether I work with engineers, operators, mechanics or staff. Solutia work force has had many people that developed
their skills and leadership through a Monsanto culture that valued diversity,group decisions, and ownership! While working
for a chemical company for over 30 years I have found many ways to improve capacity in all areas in which I had been the team
Lead.
After years of experience I have learned that unless a company is going to spend capital money for capacity
increase, the most likely area to be successful in, is the same areas we made the increases in the past. Capacity increases
in chemical plants can always be increased incrementally year to year by implementing many of the same improvements that were
successful in the past. I feel that one of the greatest obstacles to overcome is the mistaken notion that nothing more can
be done with out an increased expenditure in capital.
My advice is to check what has been done in the past,
break the next mental barrier and move forward with what you have while engaging the technology that is being used today versus
when the plant was designed. You will find many low hanging fruits to choose from. The position I held has new challenges
daily and continues to let me develop new skills to meet these challenges. As the Solutia Team Lead for Solvent PVB manufacturing, offered
me the opportunities to travel to other PVB Solvent plants and exchange best practices. There are only two other plants similar
the one I led, one in Trenton Michigan, the other in Belgium. On December 31, 2008, I retired from Solutia after
16 years of being the Solutia Team Lead for PVB manufacturing and another 21 years of service leading other manufacturing
chemical units such as Dequest, Scriptset, and Plasiticizer. Well after retiring for a year and a half,
I was called and asked if I would be interested to work as a consultant from where I retired. I was aked if I would
come back and help out as they were experiencing operational difficulties. I was asked if it woud be possible to work for
maybe 2-3 months? I said sure, well its been 4 years, I am working for EASTMAN Chemical as the Team Lead
of Polyvinyl butyral resins and in January of 2014 I decided to retire again, my last day worked was April 11, 2014.
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