Written by John Linder, Director of Sales and Marketing
As I prepare to retire from a nearly 50-year career in mold making and precision injection molding, I find myself with an unusual and challenging task: finding my replacement. I’ve been lucky enough to have had a career that’s branched out into many different directions, so I think the best way to find someone to fill my shoes is to tell my story and share how I’ve acquired my skills. Maybe you’ll read this and discover we have some things in common.
A Born Moldmaker
I must start by looking at what shaped me and my long career path. I am a third-generation tool/mold maker. My father owned a mold making and injection molding company, so I was exposed to molding at a young age. I loved building model cars, which had me dealing with molded parts, runner systems, and the like.
I exhibited a God-given talent for craftsmanship at a young age, excelling in woodshop and drafting classes while in middle school. By high school, I had taken aptitude tests that confirmed I have a high level of mechanical aptitude. A mold maker must be able to see the opposite side of the surface in order to know what the mold will look like, and not everyone can easily see in reverse.
Old-School Methods
I started my mold making career in an era that was pre-CAD/CAM, wire EDM and HS machining. We had to learn what is today considered very outdated machining techniques. We did much of our own mold design work. Even handheld calculators were uncommon. This old-school environment taught me many valuable lessons that are hard to replicate.
Breaking into the Mold
About nine years into my career, I moved over to the molding side of the business. Learning how a mold operates in serial production was an invaluable lesson. As my career progressed, I managed the technical portion of the molding business. This included managing the engineering function. I started buying and then selling internationally built molds. As my career progressed, I became more involved with secondary operations and assembly work. I have always embraced technology, and things like mold simulation software and additive manufacturing have brought interesting learning experiences and opportunities.
Agility is Key: Moving into Sales and Admin
With a little over 40 years in the business, I moved into the sales role full-time. I have always contributed to the sales function throughout my career, and having a technical background is very important. Customers want to speak with an intelligent and knowledgeable salesperson. Part of this technical knowledge must include the ability to conceptualize and brainstorm on new product designs and manufacturing processes. In my role, I am the one who reviews all new opportunities to determine if the project is a good fit for our capabilities. Being able to easily envision a new concept is key to being effective.
A considerable amount of my time is spent on administrative functions. I am the gatekeeper for pricing. I read every contract and proposal coming into the company. With the advent of some new European laws and regulations, we must deal with many new environmental and human rights initiatives and requirements.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Selling today has taken a dramatic turn post-COVID. Today, online presence and online marketing is everything. Old-fashioned door knocking and relationship building is simply ineffective. In this role, having the ability to produce interesting technical articles is critical in attracting new leads. Managing a marketing partner and what is posted online is vital to how you are perceived online. This information is what drives new leads to the sales funnel. Understanding CRM programs and how to use them effectively is a very important tool for growth.
I have been truly blessed to have had such a wonderful career. I know that there are only a few people who have had similar experiences. Understanding mold making and injection molding, as well as possessing experience and knowledge of both, is fundamental. If you have the skills and knowledge outlined in the story and are interested in learning more about this position, email me at jlinder@chemtechplastics.com.
