Brais Pedrouzo, Co-Head of the Manufacturing Department of Ecoplas: “The main challenges when manufacturing new products from scratch, such as the new Smart Nets nets, we have encountered both in the mechanical part and in the technical part. It has been a challenge because we have had to make improvements in our machines to be able to manufacture certain products, which they did not allow and with respect to the more technical part, it has meant to find a way to improve the quality of the product, testing and mixing materials”
We spoke with Brais Pedrouzo Co-Head of the Manufacturing Department to learn about his professional experience in the company, what changes he has experienced within the company and what challenges the Manufacturing Department has faced in launching the new range of Smart Nets products.
The strong commitment to innovation and research, as well as the participation of all Ecoplas departments, it has allowed the manufacture of bio products as sustainable alternatives to the needs of our customers.
1- IN THE FIRST PLACE WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN ECOPLAS. WHEN DID YOU START WORKING AT THE COMPANY? WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE LAST YEARS?
I started working for the company 12 years ago, on 09/29/2009.
I have experienced many changes at Ecoplas, especially in the Manufacturing department. When I started we only had an extrusion machine, a stabilizer and there was no printing department. Also, we had two employees per shift. Today, 12 years later, we have a few extrusion machines, two stabilizers, a printing department, we have doubled the staff and we manufacture much more variety of products than at the beginning.
2- AS A MEMBER OF THE MANUFACTURING TEAM, WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MAIN CHALLENGES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE NEW SMART NETS NETS? HOW HAS THE WHOLE ECOPLAS TEAM FACED THIS CHALLENGE?
The main challenges when manufacturing new products from scratch, such as the new Smart Nets nets, we have encountered both in the mechanical part and in the technical part.
In the first place, it has been a challenge because we have had to make improvements in our machines to be able to manufacture certain products, which they did not allow and with respect to the more technical part, it has meant to look for a way to improve the quality of the product, testing and mixing materials, doing tests on clients, until finally getting the nets to have the mechanical characteristics that the client requested.
All Ecoplas departments have been participatory and have contributed to the final result of each of the products since we are used to working and solving problems as a team.
3- IN YOUR OPINION, HOW HAS THE TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING METHODS RELATED TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS EVOLVED?
It is a subject that I do not dominate too much either, but in my opinion, these new technologies have evolved first with a strong pull and right now I see the subject a bit stagnant and lacking more solutions.
At Ecoplas we have been pioneers in betting on the use of bio materials, but we also continue working on other new products that fit the situation in which we have lived.
Our philosophy has always been to make processes efficient, ecological and the least harmful to the environment.
4- ECOPLAS, DUE TO ITS STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT, OFFERS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL PACKAGING. HOW DO YOU VALUE THE INVESTMENT IN THE RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURE OF NEW SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS MADE WITH BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS COMPARED TO THE USE OF PLASTIC PACKAGING?
I value investment in research and manufacturing of organic products very positively, since it is a problem that concerns us all.
At Ecoplas we have been present in several projects working with other groups in this direction and today we can say that we are a company that already offers its customers biodegradable products. Today being able to say this, as a mediatic theme right now, is a personal pride.