How Global is Your Local seal Supplier?

Martin Hignett, Managing Director of the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions manufacturing facility in Malta, answers questions on how he and his team support a global but local focus.

ITG: Describe your activities within Trelleborg and how they benefit the customer.

MH: In the twelve years I have been managing the Malta facility, my main role has been to steer Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in Malta in the right direction, aligning day-today practices and securing the necessary investment in order to guarantee new business and allow us to provide the best possible service to our customers. We strive to be the supplier of first choice by focusing on quality, on-time delivery, quotation response times, short lead-times and good communication throughout the supply chain.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in Malta offers a one-stop shop service through its in-house material development, tool design and manufacture capability. Our team of material technologists and engineers work hard to assist our colleagues in Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in providing the optimal sealing solution. Though we may not be the cheapest, we do our utmost to offer the best in quality and service.

We have invested in new technology, including the latest in automated injection molding machines, punch finishing, machine vision inspection and packing. We now also have 3D printing machines as a support tool for manufacturing, enabling rapid prototyping and 3D printing of molds.

ITG: How important are people in achieving the facility’s goals and ensuring customer service?

MH: Besides investing in new technology, we strongly believe that people are key to the company’s success. In recent years we have taken on-board new chemists and engineering graduates, many of which have been taken up into the Trelleborg Graduate Program and had overseas placements. We have also sent several shop floor employees to different manufacturing excellence programs, in a bid to improve
manufacturing practices by providing a leaner, more costeffective and service oriented environment.

We also host product training, Trelleborg Graduate Program trainings and Leadership Development Program projects in Malta.

ITG: Do you interact with your colleagues globally to provide solutions for customers in different locations around the world?

MH: Yes, my team and I all work closely with our colleagues overseas to provide all our customers worldwide with the top sealing solution and ensure customer satisfaction.We work hand-in-hand with our colleagues, offering support and accompanying Trelleborg Sealing Solutions sales people on new projects and supporting product development. Communication is key to developing a long lasting relationship with the customer, whether it’s through face-to-face encounters or simply picking up the phone to discuss issues rather than bounce back emails.

I have attended conferences and sent my team and their employees on several workshops overseas, which help in improving customer relationships as well as in sharing best practices.

ITG: How does your site help to fulfil our ‘Global but Local’ philosophy?

MH: Although we are on an island, we certainly do not work in isolation. On the contrary, we continually share our materials and engineering knowledge with our colleagues on various global cross-functional projects, such as the development of a new XLT compound for the Tenneco shock absorber featured on the global-but-local website. Similarly, we hold meetings regularly with our colleagues from sales and R&D in Europe, the U.S. and Asia Pacific, on all our major ongoing projects requiring a new material development or tool design.

What makes the country you work in unique?

MH: Despite being small in size, Malta is a gem in the heart of the Mediterranean. Malta is a democratic republic and the main drivers in the Maltese economy are manufacturing, tourism and financial services. The Maltese government has always been committed to attracting foreign direct investment, offering the availability of premises at competitive costs, together with fiscal and financial investment packages. Although there are cheaper foreign direct investment locations, Malta has definite advantages in terms of the quality and productivity of the workforce and its education system, which are second to none. There is also a high degree of professionalism in the business support services and good economic, political and social stability.

Do you have any travel tips for readers who may visit your country?

MH: Malta is rich in history, with unique prehistoric temples, Roman catacombs and medieval towns, which are the witness of the architectural and artistic legacy of the Knights of St John. Hence a visit to these is a must. Malta is also traditionally known as a sun and sea destination. With more than 300 sunny days a year and some of the cleanest blue waters in the Mediterranean, who can resist?