Under 40: Capable hands hold rubber industry's future

Those who are worried the rubber industry doesn't have enough youth to carry the sector's torch forward can rest easy.

Based on the 28 members of the Rubber & Plastics News Under 40 class profiled in the July 24 print issue, the future of the industry is in good hands. They represent a wide variety of areas and occupations within the sector and, as a group, express the optimism that can help carry on the tradition of sharp thinking and technological advances that keep the rubber and tire industries moving forward.

And while many view rubber as a mature industry that might not appeal to younger generations, that's not apparent here.

"Every day there is something new and different," said Casey Hedlund, 30, a senior scientist at Lord Corp. "I may spend one day researching literature for a new project, the next day mixing a compound for it, or a few days later impatiently waiting for test results. Through the entire process, I gain knowledge on materials and techniques."

Others in the class echoed that sentiment in answers they submitted to surveys following their nomination.

"When I asked the engineers who interviewed me to describe a day as a project engineer, they told me that their days are always different," said Dalton Hart, 26, a senior project engineer at Desma USA. "Knowing that I would always be challenged and working on new ideas intrigued me and sold me on the position. Learning that I would see projects from start to finish indicated to me that I would feel a great sense of accomplishment at my job."

Alexandra Krawicz, 36, lead chemist of global research and development at SI Group, felt after her interview that the company would be a good fit for her. "I met with many passionate chemists during my interview, and the level of their knowledge, enthusiasm for their work and professionalism was what tipped the scale," she said.

Shrinking world

Others said the opportunities to broaden their view of the world is another selling point for the rubber industry.

Drew Dayton, 31, a product manager at Toyo Tire USA Corp., said he'd had the opportunity to work closely with engineers, researchers, factories and others in Japan on multiple occasions. "Learning about Japanese culture and working for a Japanese company has exposed me to people, places and experiences I never imagined I'd have," he said. "I've also been able to work with members of Toyo Tires from Russia, Australia and Canada, showing them our culture and learning about theirs."

Hedlund said while suppliers and manufacturers are spread across the globe, the industry still has a family feel to it. "Trade shows and conferences are an opportunity to learn and fulfill business needs, but are also to converse with friends and colleagues and learn a little more about other places and cultures," she said.

That also means a heightened opportunity to work with others to move new technology forward.

Zack Beier, 34, director of purchasing at Q Holding Co., was told when he was recruited that the firm engages the rubber supply base as partners in its R&D work. "That collaborative approach, rather than viewing suppliers as commodity or non-value-added, was what I was looking for in my next position."

Zac Walters, 26, an engineer with Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., said his first job out of college has given him the opportunity to make an impact right out of the gate. He has worked as part of a team representing a consortium led by Cooper to work on guayule rubber research through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative grant awarded by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy.

As part of the project, he spoke at the ACS Rubber Division meeting in Pittsburgh in 2016 and the Tire Technology Expo in Germany earlier this year. He also submitted his first three patent applications on technology developed as part of the program.

"This project is one that many would consider a career capstone, but it was my first project coming out of college," Walters said. "It was extremely challenging and required me to learn on the go, but it also allowed me to gain a great deal of knowledge in a short amount of time."

Generational gap

Erick Sharp, 34, president of Ace Products and Consulting, is one of two in the class to be owners or partners in a company.

"The rubber industry has been a tremendous blessing to me and I know it will be to others as well," he said. "I am passionate to see a strong group rise up in the coming generation. We must respect the work that has gone into making the industry what it is, all while striving to innovate the next chapter of it."

He is glad to see a focus put on attracting youth to the rubber industry, and wants to see associations work toward this issue. To solve what he sees as a large generational gap in the industry will require a culture shift. "We must modernize the way we think, do and act," Sharp said. "There needs to be better embracing and mentoring between veteran and younger professionals."

NAHAD: The Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution is trying to do just that with its Emerging Leaders initiative, according to Molly Mullins, the group's associate executive director.

Emerging Leaders is a re-branding of NAHAD's former Young Professionals group, and the first activity under the new moniker was a luncheon at NAHAD's recent annual meeting where veteran members representing both manufacturers and distributors shared some of their experiences in the hose industry, both in good times and bad.

Mullins said the No. 1 issue she hears from NAHAD members is work force development, and one goal of the Emerging Leaders forum is to determine what the younger staff members need. "We're trying to get as much information from them to help us recruit them better as we're trying to offer them services," she said.

NAHAD even took the approach of adding a new board of directors seat—for one year instead of the normal three years—to be filled by an Emerging Leaders representative.

Lindsey Gallik, a regional sales manager with Holmbury Inc., is the first to hold the board seat as she is helping Mullins guide the Emerging Leaders program. She said the launch program was designed to help bridge this experience gap between veterans who may retire in coming years to those just ramping up their careers.

"We had board members at every table, and they facilitated the conversation," Gallik said. "It's not very often you can sit down with either these CEOs, or sales managers for these corporations, and have an hour-long conversation about what they did wrong in the industry, as well as what they did right."

Gallik came into the industry in 2010 at her family's firm, Crawford Machine, which manufactures brass fittings. She stayed on after Holmbury purchased the company in 2013. She said she loves the industry, especially the networking, relationships and atmosphere. She also likes how the experienced vets took their time to help install knowledge into the younger members of the industry.

"They made the statement they need the younger work force, and they take value in that," she said.

Gallik wants to see Emerging Leaders be a program where there is communication throughout the year—such as regional meetings or webinars—rather then having new information just at the annual convention.

"I think it's important for the next generation to build those relationships," she said. "Established leaders have contacts and know people. It's good to cultivate that now."