Solutia Team Lead. Pat Lees. PVB Solvent Lead. Work Life

I started working for the chemical manufacturer Monsanto Chemical in 1972. I was employed in Everett MA for 20 years when the plant closed. While I was in Everett MA I have held various Team Lead positions in Scripsets, Dequest, and Plasticizer, while employed by Monsanto. I relocated to Springfield Mass in 1993. Since relocating in 1993, I have been the Team Lead for a resin plant manufacturing PVB (Polyvinyl butyral)resin. IN 1997 Monsanto spun off its chemical business which I was part of and the new company was named Solutia.

The resin we make is primarily used in windshields of cars to help minimize injuries during an accident. There are many other applications for this resin we produce, such as hurricane glass, special adhesives, and solar panels. I expect solar panels to become an important part of the fight for energy independence in the future, of which part of the composition layer is produced from the pvb resin we make at Solutia. With energy prices only rising in the long term future, capturing solar energy during peak day time hours will be one of the natural energy sources that will be used to reduce overall dependence on oil from around the world. Just think, when the laws changed for cars to take a right turn on a red light, it saved many many gallons of oil, just think if every building harvested solar energy 12 hours a day!

As a team lead for any large manufacturing plant, life is never dull, you always need to develop new skills to stay ahead of the competition, and proactive companies demand it or be left behind. I am able to use much of the new software for tracking, monitoring and verifying process conditions. Over the years I have witnessed vast improvements with process controls. Working for Solutia demands much of my time to be used working on a proactive safety culture. Safety plays a very important role in the organization. Continuous improvement is demanded in all areas with safety being the foundation for any and all changes or improvements.

Team Leads provide the avenue to have operator issues resolved. The operators most likely will help determine what outcome will be needed to bring closure to any problem. As a Solutia Team Lead I've enjoyed the great experience of working with what I consider to be the BEST of the Best, whether I work with engineers, operators, mechanics or staff. Solutia work force has had many people that developed their skills and leadership through a Monsanto culture that valued diversity,group decisions, and ownership! While working for a chemical company for over 30 years I have found many ways to improve capacity in all areas in which I had been the team Lead.

After years of experience I have learned that unless a company is going to spend capital money for capacity increase, the most likely area to be successful in, is the same areas we made the increases in the past. Capacity increases in chemical plants can always be increased incrementally year to year by implementing many of the same improvements that were successful in the past. I feel that one of the greatest obstacles to overcome is the mistaken notion that nothing more can be done with out an increased expenditure in capital.

My advice is to check what has been done in the past, break the next mental barrier and move forward with what you have while engaging the technology that is being used today versus when the plant was designed. You will find many low hanging fruits to choose from.