Welcome to the latest edition of Nonwovenn’s ‘A Day in the Life’ series, where we sit down with different members of the team, reflect on their career to date, gain insight into where they see the business and industry going over the coming months and into them as a person outside their role.
How did you get started in the industry?
After completing my degree, I originally moved to London for a year to improve my English. After that I returned home to Italy to complete a master’s in marketing and merchandising for the fashion industry. I started out my career as a store manager, but I was really looking for a role that would allow me to travel. That led me to an interview with a local company that produced nonwovens and needed an export manager. Initially, I didn’t have much knowledge of the nonwoven industry, but just a few days after signing the contract I was in Chicago attending an industry event! From there, my journey in the nonwoven industry continued. I stayed with the company until around 2015, when I moved to Nonwovenn.
What originally attracted you to Nonwovenn?
Nonwovenn was well-established, had ambitious growth plans and offered a chance to stay within the nonwoven world. It was also clear that the company was well structured. It was somewhere I could develop both professionally and personally while working in a technical sales environment, which I enjoyed.
What does a typical day look like for you at the moment?
My day is usually a mixture of internal and external communication, and I’m constantly on the phone. I always prefer speaking directly to people rather than relying on emails to avoid any misunderstandings and delays. I typically spend my time talking with customers to understand how they’re using our products and uncovering opportunities where we might be underselling. I also coordinate internally with procurement, costing, production and innovation to understand ongoing projects and challenge processes where necessary. I always want to expand my knowledge of the wider business, so I try to spend at least 50% of my time focussing on internal conversations and customer engagement.
Have you learnt anything new since being at Nonwovenn?
Definitely. Even though I had prior experience in the nonwoven industry, the production technologiesand processes here are different from my previous company. I’ve learned a huge amount over the last 10 years, from why certain fibres are used to how materials perform on specific machines. The knowledge available here is vast, and if you’re curious enough to ask you can learn something new every day.
What do you enjoy most about working for Nonwovenn?
What I enjoy most is the access to information and the ability to be confident in front of customers. I can find all the knowledge I need to provide technical solutions and advice, not just talk about price. That makes customer interactions much more engaging and rewarding, because I can genuinely offer expertise and guidance.
Where do you see Nonwovenn going in the future, and the overall industry?
Nonwovenn is experiencing significant growth business-wide. My focus is on elevating the industrial division to match the success of the wider business. As the industry continues to evolve, our challenge is to capture opportunities in industrial customer segments, ensuring sustainable growth across all divisions.
What do you consider your biggest career achievement or standout moment to date?
I think being placed in charge of the industrial division here at Nonwovenn is a definite standout moment. It represents major responsibility and an opportunity to shape a key part of the business, which I’m very proud of.
Aside from Nonwovenn and the industry, what else interests you?
Football is a big part of my life, I’m originally from Florence so I follow Fiorentina closely. I even fly back to watch games when I can. I also enjoy fishing as a way to relax and try to keep active by visiting the gym twice a week. I find balancing time with family and some ‘me’ time very important.
Welcome to the new Nonwovenn ‘A Day in the Life’ series, where we sit down with different members of the team, reflect on their career to date, gain insight into where they see the business and industry going over the coming months and into them as a person outside their role.
How did you get started in the industry?
I started over 30 years ago, I completed my bio-mechanical engineering degree while working at Biomet, then one of the largest US orthopaedic companies. This early experience immersed me in the heart of medical device innovation and gave me a deep appreciation for the intersection of engineering and healthcare. Following my time at Biomet, I transitioned into the supply chain sector working for another privately owned US company then called Symmetry Medical, where I gained a robust understanding of operations and logistics within the industry and even experienced taking them through IPO on the NYSE. Ultimately, my journey led me to the world of textiles, and I started my career in the medical textiles sector over two decades ago, drawn by the opportunity to work on products that had the same business model but in a new to me anyway sector. My background in commercial strategy and product development gave me a strong foundation, and I’ve always been passionate about translating technical innovation into real-world healthcare solutions.
What originally attracted you to Nonwovenn?
It was the commitment to innovation and the collaborative culture that I saw there at the time. The business was in a very similar stage in the development as my previous role and had a very similarbusiness model. Translating from the orthopaedic sector into advanced wound care and textiles was new, but the business being privately owned and experiencing dynamic growth was a parallel that really struck me. It was very fresh and exciting to work on a new product group, and the company’s focus on advanced wound care, haemostats and other products aligned perfectly with my experience and interests. I knew I’d have the opportunity to build on experience there, and when David Lamb made me an offer, I simply couldn’t turn it down.
What does a typical day look like for you at the moment?
There’s no such thing as a standard day here! No two days are the same, and it’s a mix of juggling strategic planning, consumer engagements, and coordination across both our Bridgwater and Bolton sites. It could be reviewing product pipelines, troubleshooting product challenges or preparing for meetings and trade fairs, it’s a very dynamic role that gives you the opportunity to wear multiple hats.
Have you learnt anything new since being at Nonwovenn?
I’m still learning and developing every day, but I’ve really deepened my understanding of the fibre chemistries and bonding technologies, and some valuable insights on top of what I already had coming from a technical medical background. I’ve also been working closely with the R&D and quality teams, which has broadened my perspective on how innovation and governance intersect, especially in the medical sector and manufacturing.
What do you enjoy most about working for Nonwovenn?
I know it’s always the cliché, but I think the best thing is the people you interact with. We’ve built a strong team here, not only people who are technically skilled and driven, but also incredibly supportive and collaborative. I genuinely value the opportunity to learn from both my peers and mentors alike, and that’s across the whole workforce really. There’s a lot of day-to-day problem solving, strategic decisions and just knowledge sharing. There’s a very strong culture of mutual respect and continuous improvement here, which is great to grow both professionally and personally.
Where do you see Nonwovenn going in the future, and the overall industry?
I think Nonwovenn is really well positioned to continue to lead in bespoke nonwoven materials, especially in high performance technical fabrics for the MediTech sector. Our newly comissionedmedical manufacturing facility has allowed us to create controlled environments that are purpose-built for precision manufacturing and includes a ‘Class 8’ standard performing cleanroom which is designed to meet even the most stringent of medical industry standards.
The research and development team have also delivered several high-impact innovations launched over the last year. These include x-ray detectable materials to enhance safety and traceability in surgical applications, and reinforced CMC hydrofibre for improved durability and absorption in wound care. The team have also developed a translucent nonwoven solution for use as a surgical site dressing scaffold to allow for visual inspection of incision sites without the need to remove the dressing. All three product innovations come as a direct result of world class research and development programmes to support client needs.
I think the wider industry is moving towards more sustainable and patient centric products, and we are able to support that shift from our UK based manufacturing and global network of partnerships.
What do you consider your biggest career achievement or standout moment to date?
I think just the longevity of my time here, and in the wider industry. I’m on my ninth year here which in itself is an achievement, as we’ve been dynamically changing year on year.
But I think one big standout for me was when I proactively flew out to meet a major fibre supplier over in Turkey who was planning to discontinue a niche fibre category that was critical to several of our MediTech devices. We had recognised that potential impact immediately, so I arranged a visit on short notice and successfully negotiated continued supply. This not only safeguarded the products integrity but also secured the customers business. If we had not achieved that we would have had to go through extensive regulatory hurdles and costly change control processes. So that moment underscored the value of swift action, product knowledge and building on strong supplier relationships.
Aside from Nonwovenn and the industry, what else interests you?
I’m a father of four, so that keeps me pretty busy! Outside of that I’m also a keen traveller, particularly by motorcycle. I find it incredibly rewarding to explore new places on two wheels, embracing the freedom and spontaneity that comes with that. I’ve been inspired by the round the world journeys by the likes of Ewan McGregor and similar, so I enjoy creating my own mini adventures. It’s a great way to recharge, stay curious and connect with the world in a more personal and immersive way.
Welcome to the latest addition to the Nonwovenn ‘A Day in the Life’ series, where we sit down with different members of the team, reflect on their career to date, gain insight into where they see the business and industry going over the coming months and into them as a person outside their role.
How did you get started in the industry?
My professional career started in more of an applied technical services space combining academic environment, as a Chemical Engineer, Plastics Technologies, Chartered Scientist, and Management Professional. These qualifications enabled me to approach industrial challenges with more of a systems mindset and sustainability lens.
Over the years, I’ve worked across diverse sectors, including Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Food, Plastics Product Processing, Technical Services, Product and Process Engineering and Innovation Consulting. This experience has provided me with hands on insights into every element of the value chain, from raw material sourcing through to product development and distribution. It has also helped me to understand the interplay between operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
From the outset, I was guided by the principle of ‘doing good to do well’, which is a belief that purposeful innovation can deliver both commercial and environmental value. That ethos continues to inform my work today, particularly as I lead transformative sustainability initiatives that cover technical, strategic, and behavioural domains.
What originally attracted you to Nonwovenn?
It was the bold ambition and agility that immediately captured my attention. The business demonstrated a genuine commitment to sustainability and innovation. I recognised an opportunity to embed purpose-led impact into Nonwovenn’s core strategy and help shape its journey towards sustainable harm reduction. The chance to build a sustainability programme from the ground up, including the launch of our Green Champions Programme, was particularly compelling too. Nonwovenn’s openness to change and its adaptability to exceed expectations made it an ideal platform for transformative leadership. I was inspired by the possibility of creating a culture where sustainability was not merely a compliance requirement but a strategic imperative. This vision aligned with my own values and experience, and I was confident I could contribute meaningfully to its evolution.
What does a typical day look like for you at the moment?
My day is typically a blend of strategic planning, technical oversight, and stakeholder engagement. I typically begin by reviewing sustainability metrics and compliance reports, followed by meetings with cross-functional teams to align on environmental, social, and governance goals and innovation pipelines. I also lead the Sustainability Working Group of BSI PH/23, where we are evolving standards for the sustainability of personal protective equipment and linking with CEN and ISO standards.
Operationally, I oversee initiatives such as our Zero Waste to Landfill programme and the use of 100% green electricity and 25% green gas last year, which has now increased to 50% in Ocotober 2925 and set to become 100% by 2027. I try to make each day purpose-driven, with a clear focus on enabling sustainable harm reduction. I also work with external partners and industry bodies to share best practices and co-create solutions that advance circularity, transparency, and regenerative design. The integration of sustainability into daily operations is not simply a goal, it’s a lived reality.
Have you learnt anything new since being at Nonwovenn?
Absolutely. One of the most valuable learnings is balancing ambition with pragmatism, leveragingcollaboration and data-driven decision-making. A standout learning has been the development and implementation of SeNTRY, which is a self-neutralising trade effluent management system. The system uses stoichiometry to combine waste streams in precise ratios, neutralising harmful components and transforming them into benign outputs. This innovation exemplifies our philosophy of ‘making our burden our bridge’ and turning operational challenges into opportunities for environmental stewardship. It reflects a broader shift in the industry, where advanced chemistry and systems thinking are being used to create scalable, sustainable solutions. It is not just a technical achievement; it’s a symbol of our commitment to ‘doing good to do well’.
What do you enjoy most about working for Nonwovenn?
The business has a culture of integrity, curiosity and ambition, which is something I truly value. Sustainability is not treated as a tick-box exercise, but as a strategic imperative. The team’s receptiveness to new ideas, whether that is embedding circularity, launching the Green Champions Programme, or pursuing Ecovadis Gold, makes it a stimulating environment. Achieving Ecovadis Gold, especially when we were initially aiming for Silver, was a proud moment that validated our collective efforts.
I also appreciate the opportunity to influence both strategic direction and operational practices. The recognition for my keynote on ‘Enabling Purpose-Led Sustainable Impact’ was a testament to our thought leadership and our ability to inspire change across the industry. Working at Nonwovenn allows me to combine technical expertise with visionary leadership, and that is deeply fulfilling.
Where do you see Nonwovenn, and the overall industry, going in the future?
I see Nonwovenn continuing to lead with purpose, particularly as sustainability becomes central to business resilience. The industry is moving towards greater transparency, circularity, and regenerative design. Nonwovenn is well-positioned to pioneer solutions that are not only compliant but also commercially and environmentally viable. Our work on sustainable supply chains, built from scratch and now inspiring customers, suppliers, and industry associations alike, is a testament to our leadership. We have demonstrated that it is possible to go from concept to industry recognition in only a couple of years.
This rapid transformation is not simply about growth; it’s about redefining what leadership looks like in the age of sustainability. We’re setting benchmarks and enabling sustainable harm reduction across the value chain, and I believe our impact will continue to grow.
What do you consider your biggest career achievement or standout moment to date?
There are several moments I’m proud of, but the most significant achievement has been transforming Nonwovenn into a recognised industry leader in less than half a decade. Leading the development of a sustainability framework for personal protective equipment under BSI PH/23 Working Group 3, establishing a sustainable supply chain from scratch, and achieving Ecovadis Gold when we were aiming for Silver are milestones that reflect our commitment to excellence.
Aside from Nonwovenn and the industry, what else interests you?
Aside from work, I’m deeply interested in environmental policy, behavioural science, and systems thinking. I enjoy exploring how societal behaviours can be shaped to support sustainability. I also have a passion for mentoring and knowledge-sharing, particularly with emerging professionals in the field.
Innovation continues to be a personal interest, and my involvement in new product development and patents has allowed me to explore the intersection of creativity and impact. As a vegan, I see my lifestyle as an extension of my commitment to sustainability. It reflects a conscious choice to align personal values with professional goals. I believe that real change begins with individual actions, and I strive to lead by example, both in the boardroom and beyond.
One of the world’s leading nonwoven fabric-tech companies, Nonwovenn has appointed industry luminary, Silke Brand-Kirsch as commercial director. With her career to date spent leading several businesses within the nonwoven industry, Silke will be central in spearheading the future growth and internationalisation strategy.
Silke joins Nonwovenn to bring her knowledge and experience of the sector at a pivotal time for the business with an ambitious goal of doubling turnover by 2028, working to build upon the businesses market leading position in niche, high value market segments. The move comes after she co-founded, grew, and successfully exited her co-owned independent consultancy firm and more recently held a senior position as Vice President of Product Management at Glatfelter Corporation.
Nonwovenn is already established in markets across the UK, Europe and North America, with Silke set to ensure the Nonwovenn expertise is delivered to a broader global audience, undertaking a review of the sales and innovation proposition, as well as business development.
Commenting on her appointment, Silke Brand-Kirsch said: “Joining the team at Nonwovenn is the perfect next step for my career. What attracted me to the business is that even in a sector under pressure, Nonwovenn have shown that sustainable, and profitable, growth is possible. There is a very strong leadership team in place, with a clear vision and purpose, and a market leading growth strategy. I am especially looking forward to pushing further the international customer base and bringing a more market driven approach to the business.”
“There is a clear need in the market for Nonwovenn’s offering. Their ability to continually innovate, optimise and react to help customers anticipate needs, adapt quickly, and achieve objectives is unrivalled. The team has also been fantastic to work with; vibrant, enthusiastic and engaging, exactly what the industry needs.”
David Lamb, Chairman of Nonwovenn, added: “Silke is joining our team during a very important time for Nonwovenn. Her extensive experience in the sector, combined with our drive and ambition, means we can take the business further than ever before. We are incredibly excited for what she is bringing to the team.”