Please share some background on yourself and your company

I'm Lenny Gutierrez, a Technical Sales Representative with Asaclean - Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, where I've worked for 24 years. My role focuses on driving sales and building client relationships across Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Latin America, along with managing South American distribution. Asaclean specializes in purging compounds, which are essential for the plastic extrusion and injection molding industries. Our focus is on maximizing operational efficiency and reducing downtime, making us a leader in the purging industry.

What is the key benefit of improving purging techniques in extrusion?

Improving purging techniques in extrusion isn't just about reducing downtime and material waste. It’s about achieving consistent product quality, increasing throughput, boosting profitability, and contributing to sustainability. These are all critical factors in today’s manufacturing landscape.

What has been your proudest achievement at Asaclean?

One of my proudest achievements at Asaclean was spearheading our expansion into the Mexican market in 2009. This strategic move not only broadened our geographic footprint but also allowed us to serve a new segment of clients, significantly contributing to our company’s growth and presence in the international market. The impact of this expansion has been impressive, and it’s been rewarding to see how our products help clients improve their operations across borders, reinforcing our leadership in the industry.

What are you most looking forward to from the expo?

I’m eagerly looking forward to the expo. It’s a fantastic platform for learning and exchanging ideas, and I’m excited about the opportunity to connect with industry peers and share insights on the latest trends and innovations in extrusion technology. I’m particularly keen to participate in discussions on how purging compounds can significantly enhance operational efficiency. The evolution of our field is always exciting, and I’m looking forward to bringing new ideas back to our team.

Lenny Gutierrez will be speaking on Day 1 at the Plastics Extrusion World Expo Theater.

Conference Producer

Catherine Nock has an MBChB in Medicine and BMedSci from the University of Sheffield, UK. In her previous role as a Conference Producer at Hanson Wade she developed programs for the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, at AMI she works with a varied polymer applications portfolio ranging from Medical Tubing to Electric Vehicles. She is eager to support the plastics industry in innovating compounds and processes to improve functionality and safety across these important markets.