HotSeat: Andrew Taylor, MD at Sonic Solutions Ltd

It’s a milestone year for Andrew Taylor, Managing Director and owner of Sonic Solutions. He and the company have been leading the charge in industrial cleaning for 20 years, offering a full suite of services, including ultrasonic cleaning equipment, cleaning chemicals, and an expert cleaning service.

In 2023, Andrew and the team introduced the industry to their new personas, the Plastics Surgeons at Interplas, complete with stethoscopes and lab coats, leaving a lasting impression. Now, Andrew is ready for his next challenge—the PlastikMedia HotSeat!

What trends do you think will shape the future of UK plastics? How will Sonic Solutions respond?

There is increasing momentum and political desire for a more coordinated approach to plastics consumption and recycling, involving all the parties involved (manufacturers, designers, retailers, collectors, recyclers, and consumers), at local, national and global levels.

But, how this affects plastics manufacturers, recyclers and users will hinge critically on legislation and economics. High energy prices, low virgin polymer costs, competing interests and “greenwashing” are working against the stated objectives of legislation to reduce plastics consumption and increase recycling rates as part of a net zero policy.

However, improved design of plastic items, use of AI in manufacturing and recycling, and closer integration of various stages of plastic manufacturing/recycling can improve outcomes tremendously for those businesses adopting them.
Clarity of goals and efficiency of operations are key to both surviving and prospering in this new world. It will be a case of adopt or die, but early adopters will thrive.

In this context we see integrated operations of source and final products, and specialist operations able to charge premium prices being extremely successful and with excellent prospects.

For Sonic, this has meant tuning in to help hardpressed plastics processors and recyclers improve efficiencies and reduce costs by extending the life of high-value critical process parts. We offer a cost-effective, bespoke quick and easy solution to their cleaning and parts maintenance problems.

How has Sonic Solutions developed during your tenure?

When I first acquired Sonic Solutions 20 years ago in 2004 it was primarily a supplier of cleaning chemicals to the print industry. Over 20 years we have transitioned firstly, into an ultrasonic cleaning services provider, and latterly a specialist cleaner of critical parts to the plastics and petrochemical industries, using a variety of cleaning processes to return parts back into operation.

What do you credit as the key to your success?

Attendance at seminars, exhibitions and conferences such as the BPF, PRS, Interplas and RECOUP has introduced us to key players, PLUS we have visited a lot of them to understand their needs. This has enabled us to offer solutions to THEIR problems, rather than just a product.

Following from this we have established relationships with some key players in the plastics industry – machinery suppliers, manufacturers and recyclers. They have expanded our knowledge of the industry and its requirements.
Covid! As the pandemic hit we had the time and desperation that switched us into overdrive on our marketing. We developed a solutions and information-based website, connected with key personnel in the plastics industry, posted articles etc.

We have also developed a trailblazing way of cleaning some key critical components like filters and heat exchangers in the plastics processing and recycling world.

All the above differentiates us from our competitors who offer unitary products with little knowledge and understanding of the plastics industry people and problems.

What has been the greatest challenge in your career?

Covid, when our core business evaporated overnight, BUT as I mentioned, this gave us the time and motivation (or should I say desperation!) to understand the cleaning problems facing the plastics industry properly and offer attractive solutions.

What advice do you wish you’d had on entering the industry and does that differ from the advice you would give to an apprentice joining now?

Two things really;

1. Network more and better, so you get to know the industry you are in, the people within it, the problems they face and their concerns.
2. Offer solutions to problems, not a product, and make it personal.

I think the above advice is universal, whatever stage you are at, maybe even more important when you’re just starting out.

What hidden talents do you have?

With a Latin American wife, I make a mean mojito and cut a fine figure on the salsa dancefloor (although my wife might question the latter claim!)

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If you require any cleaning of your equipment to help maintain your parts, increase production and reduce money loss, why not get in touch with the friendly and professional team at Sonic Solutions.

Read more news from Sonic Solutions here.

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