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Justin Gutierrez
Justin Gutierrez
Assistant Director of Career Services

Interview with Justin Gutierrez

Opportunities within the nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry are limitless

The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has created a new position of assistant director of career services to promote the thriving nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry as an attractive career choice to the next generation of business and technical professionals. In conversation with Fibre2Fashion, Justin Gutierrez, the first person to hold this new position talks about his responsibilities and the organisation's purpose behind creating it.

TT: What is INDA's objective behind creating the position of assistant director of career services?

The goal of this position is to connect rising college talent with global, innovative and growing companies whose products make lives better. The nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry is a healthy and growing industry that is continually seeking new, bright talent as some of our 'baby boomers' approach retirement. In response to requests by member companies, the position of assistant director of career services was created to position the nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry as an attractive career choice for soon-to-be college graduates. My role is to increase the awareness of the industry among college students with both technical and general backgrounds. This awareness, combined with member recruitment efforts, is intended to make it easier for members to attract top talent.

 
TT: Please tell us in detail about your background.

Previously I was in B2B sales at the Jacob Holm Group specialising in the Sontara line of industrial nonwoven boxed wipers used in the automotive and aerospace industry. Prior to that I was a lead account manager at Arvato Bertelsmann with a focus in the technology and games supply chain. I also have previous experience at the university level during my time as an assistant cross country and track and field coach. My professional career includes opportunities in customer service, new business development, market research, sales, and recruitment.

TT: What are your responsibilities as the assistant director of career services at INDA?

First and foremost, my responsibility is to supplement our membership's current recruiting efforts. I will promote, at large, the attractive benefits the nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry has to offer while member companies promote specific positions. INDA's goal is to add value to member company recruitment efforts presenting the industry as an attractive career choice meeting the aspirations of rising young professionals.

TT: What kind of careers will you be promoting to college graduates?

The opportunities within the nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry are limitless. The entire value chain is available for talented individuals. From chemistry and life science to finance, marketing, and graphic design to mechanical, chemical, and materials engineering to biomedical and computer sciences-our industry embraces talent and innovation. These careers offer opportunities for travel, relocation, innovation, upward mobility, and to be a part of an industry that makes products that make lives better.

TT: How will you promote careers in nonwovens to college graduates?

Outreach and messaging will be important tools to promote careers in the industry. Recruitment offices, 'Career Day' events, university departments, clubs, and organisation 'touch points', and on campus events will be used to increase awareness and knowledge of our technically innovative industry.

TT: Which geographies will this service be applicable to?

INDA's focus is primarily on providing value for its membership's important geographies. We'll focus on the US and the schools where our members already recruit.

TT: How has the nonwovens field grown in the last couple of years?

The Worldwide Outlook for the Nonwovens Industry report published by INDA and EDANA, states that the nonwovens production grew 7.1 per cent annually between 2004 through 2014. Industry production then expanded another 7.6 per cent in 2015 and 6.3 per cent last year to surpass 10 million tonnes of production. This growth has been led by absorbent hygiene in the developing markets and by growth in both the wipes and transportation markets in the developed markets.

TT: What kind of growth do you anticipate for the nonwovens field in the next five years?

According to the INDA and EDANA Worldwide Outlook for Nonwovens, production is forecast to increase 5.7 per cent annually through to 2020. Across the nonwoven technology processes-specifically, dry laid/carded hydro- entangled production will expand at the fastest rate, adding 7.6 per cent annually. The worldwide nonwovens industry's prospects are excellent, and it remains an exciting industry in which to be involved. The future of nonwovens/engineered materials for raw materials, manufacturing, converting, supply and brand owners has high opportunities for growth.

Published on: 30/05/2017

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 technicaltextile.net.


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