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Chemical science andphysics at work in resinmaking demand
“the good judgment of humanbeingswho use their heads,
follow the recipe, learn from experience, watch temperatures to
avoidproblems, safety check equipment with every resinbatch,
andmonitor the entire process very closely,”Howie said.
“Resin cooking is a demanding job,”Mike said, “with a variety
of phenolic resins to deal with, dissimilar procedures depending
on the type of resin, andother unanticipated situations that
arise occasionally.”
Plencomanufactures a complete line of phenolic resins avail-
able in two-stage novolac and single-stage resol formulations
for industrial and consumer applications. They are available in
pastille ( pea sized), liquid, flaked, andpowdered forms of resin.
Applications range from abrasives, to coating proppants for
hydraulic fracturing, foundry applications, tiremanufacturing,
andprotective coatings.
“It’s sort of like ordering a steak,”Howie explained. “Do you
want it rare, medium, orwell done?”Resins canbe produced in
softer or stiffer form, with variations inbetween.
“Producing a quality product consistently is ourmission,”
Julie added. “Things are constantly changing, which I like.
Instrumentation is a good example.When I started at Plenco
we did a lot of subjective testing. Nowwe do a lotmore
objective testing. These andother changes have evolved as new
technology andprocesses are available.”
Howie admits that he has never stopped learning during
his career at Plencobeginningwithhis studies at Lakeshore
Technical College, continuing at theMilwaukee School of
Engineering, and earning his bachelor’s degree inbusiness from
LakelandCollege. Julie agrees. “Howie and I are complete
opposites inour approach,” she said, “whichmakes us very
compatible. Howie taughtme a lot. He is deeply interested in
every aspect of making resin andproblem solving.
“Every timewe are out on the floor trying to discover some-
thing new,” Julie said, “Howie is there in a very hands-onway to
make sure everything isworking right, or if it isn’t, figuring out
with the guys how tomake it work.” She saidHowie had taught
her how to deal with challenges. “It’s a good combination that
way,” she said.
Howie and Julie attributed success in theResinDepartment
in large part to the company’s cross-functionality PlencoAction
Board framework put inplace in the 1980s as a creative tool for
solving challenges, taking advantage of newopportunities, and
making informed, fast-track decisionswhen the situation called
for prompt action.
TheResinDepartment’s PAB, chairedby Julie, generally
meets twice amonth. “The PAB is a very effective problem-
solving tool,” Julie said. “Wemake important decisions every
timewemeet.” Members includeAdam, ResinLab, QALab,
ResinDepartment, sales andmarketing, safety, environment,
andother components as needed.
Julieworks closelywithAdam. “He’s a good guy toworkwith.
Adam is always therewhenwe needhim for anything. He is
totally reachable and very involved in every phase of resin
production,” she said.
When askedwhat she sees inPlenco and theResin
Department in the future, Julie said she expectsmore of the
same energy and enthusiasm that has occurred in recent years.
“It’s been so dynamic,” she said, “Things keep changing for
the better. I see that continuing, withmore efficient process and
better products. Everyone inour department has a part toplay
in decision-making, and thatmakes Plenco an exciting place to
work!”
Over the last 17 years at Plenco, Julie said themost important
characteristic is the family atmosphere. “It is so important to
hear how important each employee is to the company,” she said.
“How luckywe are tohave a good job in a good company, and
tohearmanagement confirmourworth to the enterprise. You
don’t have that everywhere. Every daywe come intowork, we
knowwe are going to learn something. There’s a great groupof
peopleworking together!”
So in the last analysis, it’s the peoplewho assure Plenco’s
success. And it’s the peoplewhowill assure the continuationof
the expandingResinDepartment.
Plenco thermoset phenolic resins are here to stay!
Top (Left to right): MikeWeber and JayShaw, ResinForemen, monitor
operations from theKettleControl Room. Middle: HowieRohde, Resin
Supervisor, and JulieBrunner, ResinQASupervisor, compare notes.
Bottom (Left to right) EdBiederwolf (ResinQA), HowieRohde, JulieBrunner,
andBobHoeppner (LabTech).
