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Interview with Mr Paul Hulme

Mr Paul Hulme
Mr Paul Hulme
President
Huntsman Textile Effects
Huntsman Textile Effects

Huntsman Textile Effects is the textile business wing of chemical industry giant Huntsman Group. Completing four decades of existence this year, the Group manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Today, the Group employs workforce over 12,000 people and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2009 revenues of approximately $8 billion. The Group’s textile business- Huntsman Textile Effects offers a broad range of chemical and dye products that enhance the performance properties and colors of finished textiles and materials. It has a balanced global reach serving over 10,000 customers located in 80 countries and is the leading global supplier of comprehensive solutions for the textile industry. The business has about 4,200 employees and operates 11 primary manufacturing facilities located in eight countries (Switzerland, Germany, France, USA, Mexico, China, Thailand and Indonesia). Mr Paul Hulme is President of Huntsman Textile Effects and is based at Singapore. Mr Hulme was born in England and is a chartered accountant with a business studies degree from Manchester University in the UK. Prior to leading Huntsman Textiles, Mr Hulme was the President of Materials & Effects. Before this, he was President of Huntsman Advanced Materials and Vice President of Huntsman Performance Chemicals. He spent nine years with the Polyurethanes business in a variety of roles including Director of Global Operations, Chief Information Officer, Corporate Business Development Manager for eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, European and UK controller. He also spent five years with ICI Specialty Chemicals. These roles included responsibilities for global business reorganization, development of business strategy, global supply chain process development, and global SAP and IT strategy implementation. Besides his corporate endeavors, Mr Hulme also enjoys playing golf and squash as leisure activities. He is married and blessed father of two daughters. Mr Paul Hulme, in his second appearance on Face2Face, talks about to date happenings in the world of textile chemicals.

Nice to host one more talk with you in Face2Face, Mr Hulme. Please tell us about latest endeavours at Huntsman’s textile arm?

Despite the lagging economy, Huntsman Textile Effects (TE) had a busy and successful year in 2009. Some of our core accomplishments and successes included: the global realignment of the overall TE business, moving our headquarters from Switzerland to Singapore to be closer to our customers, key investments and acquisitions in important markets, innovation through 30 new product launches and the ccontinuing development of research and technology developments in India and Asia.

Even more, we are excited about the prospect of 2010. Led by greater growth in Asia and revived consumer demand, projections are looking upward and positive in this year of a recovering economy. Indeed, it is estimated that global dyes and intermediates will be valued at $19 billion by 2012, with an expected growth of 2% per annum.

Asia is an ideal candidate for this higher production and sales due to its growing population, increased industrialisation and abundant labour – and at TE – we believe we have the key tools in place to help ride with the flow and capitalise on these opportunities.

One example is that we have imposed a self-governance programme through REACH, which stands for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals. REACH is a single coherent system for new and existing substances that governs all substances manufactured in or imported into the European Union, which impacts the entire value chain. We have invested US$30 million into this programme beginning last year which is ongoing for the next two years.

 

Does that mean the good year begins for textile chemicals industry world over?

There are many signs of a global economic recovery, including higher growth in Asia and an increase in consumer confidence and demand, and TE has taken many steps in the past years to ready itself in this growth.

We have started off the New Year on the right foot with two new key partnerships, which will help to further supplement the leadership position we already hold in Asia. With Alok Industries, a global integrated textile solutions provider, TE was just recently conferred a status as a preferred supplier. With Alps Industries, one of India’s largest home textiles exporters, we signed an exclusive partnership for supply and technical support.

2010 will be the year of opportunities and I am confident we have put all the right tools in place to best confront and take advantage of these.

Well, we have covered news on your company's ventures into India. So, what drives it into this country? Any more countries looked upon as emerging markets?

India is one of the fastest growing economies a very important market for TE. Here, we maintain a leading position, holding the #1 position in overall specialty textiles business, including dyes and specialty chemicals.

The World Bank estimates India will be the largest growing economy in 2010, and PricewaterhouseCoopers cites India to become the 3rd largest economy by 2012, trailing only the US and China. By 2020. Indeed, India might grow faster than China. The textile sector is India’s second largest employer and an important industry, as it is in China. We intend to make sure that we enjoy the ever-increasing market.

India and China are highly competitive markets but we are also seeing an upward trend in South-east Asia and Pakistan. ASEAN had combined export over US$30 billion with Malaysia itself reporting RM10.5 billion worth of textiles and apparel in 2008. Vietnam also reported steady export value of $4.08 billion. The key factors behind this are the advancements in technology and growing status of the middle-income people. With spending power increased, families are becoming sophisticated in the textile choices which attributes to the growth of the textile industry.

About 55% of sales turnover of the company is originated from Asia while 25% from Europe and 20% from the United States. Market-wise, products targeting apparel applications offer 60% of revenue of the company, and the rest from applications of technical textiles. We are the number one player in the global technical textile arena, and the strongest supplier of these (technical textile) segments in India.

Will the off-shoring be a continued trend in coming time or is it time to rethink the offshoring?

By offshoring, I think you mean outsourcing. Companies have been outsourcing work for many years and for many, it may make sense. It is a business decision that some companies choose after looking at the bottom line impact on both the local business environment, as well as the work force.

We have a different approach, led by our global restructuring programme, which offers value to our customers that just cannot be substituted by any shortcuts. Our move to Singapore has helped us to better understand our Asian customers, and we want to strengthen our state here so that we can also help in shaping the Asian environment and development.

How significant is being Innovative in today’s environment? Any new product launch in pipeline?

Innovation is critical to maintaining our leading position in Asia. Last year alone, we launched 30 new products and in 2010, we are looking at a lot of new chemistry in the area of technical textiles.

One example of great innovation at work at TE is the upcoming launch of AlbaFlow Conti. This innovative, newly-developed product is a highly efficient wetting agent, which provides our customers with rapid dye penetration, instant de-aeration, all while being free from silicone and solvents, APEO-free and readily degradable. This offers more level and consistent dyeing, fewer reworks and excellent quality in a trouble-free process. Most importantly, it is friendly to the environment – an area of where we see increased demand and are greatly involved with.

This is only one of a wide range of eco-friendly products that truly makes a difference not only to our customers, but with the end users and the environment.

Recently, you have joined hands with Alps Industries in India. Can you delve out more about this JV?

We are looking to further strengthen our leadership position in Asia through strategic partnerships in key growth markets, such as India. Back in February, we signed a strategic partnership with Alps Industries, which called for the exclusive supply of materials from our business to their eight production facilities in India. In addition, we will supply them with technical service support to ensure compliance with stringent global customer requirements.

India is an important market for us as we continue to expand in Asia Pacific, and we recognise the importance of our key partners in India, who also have a great presence globally. We are excited to partner with Alps Industries and look forward to helping to provide a bright and sustainable future for their business.

How will you express your concern on growing popularity for green clothing?

Innovation is a key driver in our business and one that is fully ingrained in our culture. In turn, this helps to drive our business and ultimately benefits our customers, the public and the environment. Indicative of our efforts is the theme for our customer conferences which will be held in key markets in Asia - “We See A Better World” including one in Mumbai on 5th March. Through our corporate culture and beliefs, we look to provide the key factors and strengths to make our vision a reality.

To illustrate how we incorporate sustainability into our innovation, you just need to look at our core key products such as Gentle Power Bleach, AlbaFlow Conti, High IQ Intelligent Effects, Novacron and Lanasol. These, and many more in the pipeline, share a common focus on the environment and we will continue developing innovative and sustainable products.

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Click here to view previous interview with Huntsman

Published on: 01/03/2010

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.