HotSeat: Richard Hird, Sales Director at Labotek GB Ltd

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

With climate change and sustainability still high on the agenda, especially within the plastics industry we are seeing a drive towards higher energy efficiency and an increase in closed-loop supply chains, particularly in the packaging sector.

Since 2010 Labotek has been continuously developing and offering energy-efficient drying solutions with the simple Labotek Energy Saving System (LESS) that controls the drying temperature against the dried return air temperature, the Labotek External Heat Recovery (EHR) system to use excess process heat in the drying process and the Gravi-Dry system that allows for the drying process to match the throughput exactly.

With regards to the close loop supply chain, we are working with a range of partners and customers to provide the complete drying, conveying and blending of r-PET Flake and other packaging regrind.

How has Labotek developed during your tenure?

Labotek has grown in market share and presence over the last 6 years and continues to do so, even though the economic situation is proving to be a challenge at present.
Our team has also grown both in the administration and service areas, to allow us to respond to our growth whilst maintaining the high level of service that our customers have come to expect.

We have also built upon and strengthened our relationships with our longstanding partners such as Labotek, Ferlin and Getecha through open and close cooperation. Whilst developing relationships with new complimentary partners DynaCon and MB Engineering.

What do you credit as the key to your success?

Having been involved with the plastics industry all my working life, I have worked with some amazing and inspirational people.

However, change is inevitable. Dealing with change is very much dependent on the people that surround you whilst the change occurs. It is not only you that is affected by change, but others too.

I have found that self-reflection and an open mind from all concerned are very helpful in these situations, as they allow you to arrive at a positive objective. At the end of the day, I have learnt that every challenge or change is an opportunity for improvement.

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?

I think I was lucky in that I had some great advice from my peers & colleagues when I first started, straight from school.

Although I may not have taken any notice of what I was being told at the time, and some of it isn’t for publication. One piece of advice that I wished I had listened to was to “get out of plastics whilst you can”. However, another piece of advice that sticks with me is not to take yourself too seriously, be humble.

I would advise anyone starting in their career to be curious and take the time to listen & learn from those around you, the experience of others is priceless.

What hidden talents do you have?

My talents are a little thin on the ground, my family still make fun of the time I burnt the Sunday roast.

For someone so bad at football at school that I even broke my arm defending a shot on goal. I have been coaching disability football for over 10 years, reaching the FA People Cup semi-finals 2 years in a row and getting a couple of FA coaching awards.

I have also developed a talent for running (slowly) through forests, bogs and over hills for as long as possible, whilst constantly grazing on food.

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