EDITOR INTERVIEW In conversation with... Kerry Larkin, Commercial Director at SIP
What drew you to the lubricants industry originally? I really came into the industry by default. It became clear during my chemistry degree that I was more suited to a commercial role. Following a graduate trainee position with an oleochemical trading company, I moved to the manufacturer, Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc to expand my experience. During my time with Fuchs I became aware of SIP, and the rest, as they say, is history!
In a male dominated industry how do you hold your own among your peer group? I’d like to think it’s my industry knowledge and experience that allows me to communicate at all levels and conduct my job in a professional manner and with integrity. The industry is very friendly; I’ve never been made to feel uncomfortable (as a woman in a man’s world) - only welcomed and treated with respect.
How would you address the issues of knowledge shortfall and female recruitment in the industry? I think the industry needs to review the way it promotes itself to attract young talent. Rather than traditional remuneration deals, younger people are motivated by very different things; reward and retention of committed and motivated men and women through training, flexible working and addressing the demands of work-life balance, is essential.
Greater interest and participation in STEM subjects at school and university and a more visible presence in senior roles and at board level, will help to inspire young women; we’re lagging behind the chemical industry in this regard. However, I’m against quotas and firmly believe that women should be in a job because they are competent and capable, not because they are female.
Looking at the changing global landscape of base oils, the competition, fluctuating markets and regulatory controls, how does this impact on your role at SIP?
70 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.147 OCTOBER 2018 SIP is uniquely positioned in
the industry with a good reputation for supplying high performance speciality base oils and fluids to a diverse application and product portfolio. My role is to deliver a strategy that links SIP’s values and core competencies with the opportunities each of the above topics bring to the industry. Currently this means a focus on renewable base oils and feedstocks from new technologies, such as nanotechnology, and working with existing customers to develop new products and services, allowing them to differentiate their product offering and add value.
Competitive feedstock sourcing is critical and a key part of my role. It’s becoming ever more challenging in an era of oversupply so we have an increasing focus on niche applications. A different mindset and skills base, particularly when developing a market with emerging technology, is critical, and places greater demand on sales, technical and logistics support.
Regulation has both positive and negative impacts, driving the need for higher performance oils but creating a barrier to entry.
How is SIP preparing for a ‘no deal’ outcome? SIP sources globally, and our storage is predominately based in Europe, so we can quickly adapt our business model to ensure we are best located to source feedstocks competitively once trade and tariff details are known. But it’s impossible to forecast future profitability because of the lack of clarity on the terms of the deal, which is a real challenge for manufacturers.
Given a magic wand and a single wish for the industry today, what would you wish? Oh blimey that’s a tricky one - I’m struggling between greater equilibrium of the global base oil supply- demand balance and global regulatory harmonisation in particular REACH and the automotive specification bodies API/ACEA.
LINK
www.sip.com
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