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.