supply, and technology. Duckhams celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, and it is an honour to work on a brand with such a rich legacy in the lubricants industry.
How has the industry changed since you started? The industry is always evolving. A common theme that has escalated recently is the drive for efficiency. Although some trends have been around for a while, like lower viscosities, a continuation of harsher requirements and developing challenges with compatibility with new materials and designs, have come to the fore. The boundaries are really being pushed.
I find the growing momentum for more sustainable raw materials such as base oils very interesting. Up until recently, re-refined base oils (RRBOs) were relatively unfavoured; however, they are certainly becoming more fashionable now. I applaud and support any efforts we can make to become more sustainable and improve our environmental impact.
Putting my supply hat on, global supply chains are now more volatile and unreliable. This is driving organisations to rebalance the focus of sourcing strategies and consider improved risk management. Businesses need to look at risk management in a much closer way, be more agile, and develop resilience. COVID triggered lots of issues in the supply chain. Whilst many of these have now been resolved, other challenges have appeared. I anticipate issues to do with geopolitics and climate change are here to stay. The period of stable global supply chains is in the past.
COVID also led to an increase in hybrid and flexible working. As a Technical Manager, I am not sure I would have imagined working from home. But it turns out, I rather like it! To me, hybrid working is the best approach. It’s great to have the flexibility of working from home but also be able to see people face-to-face, which helps build working relationships.
What do you like about the industry? And what would you change if you could?
I love that the world of lubricants is vast, diverse, and continuing to develop. As I expand into new countries and markets, I’m constantly learning something new, be it from upstream partners or market information.
If I could change something, it would be to advance alignment on acceptable proof of performance to ensure all brands supply proven, high-quality products. I have worked on the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) Technical Review Panel for the past three years and I see first-hand some of the problems. It seems to be a growing trend. With margins under pressure, it’s tempting to look for cheaper formulations. However, end users must be confident that formulations are proven and safe to use for the lifetime of a vehicle.
What challenges do you think the industry faces? In your role and as a whole? There are many challenges, but most of them are overwhelmingly positive. Legislation relating to sustainability is evolving, and the industry is embracing its role through continued technological innovation. Another challenge is disruption in global supply chains due to geopolitical and environmental factors. At Duckhams, we are using our global scale to adapt and find new ways to mitigate and reduce risk.
How do you balance work life with home life? It’s very important to achieve that balance, and it doesn’t always happen organically. I work from home, so I have to be mindful and remain disciplined and shut the laptop in good time. My wife also works from home, which I think helps. We both understand the need to step away from the ‘desk’ and actively manage the boundaries between work and home life. I travel regularly with work, which means that sometimes work takes priority. However, I enjoy discovering new places, meeting with colleagues and customers and understanding regional differences. Now that I am working in a global role, I have already been to Dubai, and I am looking forward to visiting Thailand and Malaysia soon.
Favourite quote? “Those that are afraid to fall never fly”. I’m not quite sure where I first came across it, but I have used it for years now. To me, it’s a reminder that you’ve got to push yourself and try if you want to succeed. But it’s also ok to fail. It can be part of the process and a valuable step on the road to success.
https://www.duckhams.com
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.181 JUNE 2024
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