Manufacturing Today Issue 205 Issue 205 - October 2022 | Page 13

Sharing information , customer feedback , staff insights and the different approaches taken across global sites can yield valuable results ...

different perspective . It ’ s better to assume that everyone has a ‘ positive intent ’ behind their actions and if you discuss it with them , you will find ultimately you are trying to achieve the same goals . Of course , our values evolve all the time , but these ones are key .”

These principles tie into the overall ambition of Mativ , which is , of course , to delight the customer and act as a trustworthy and reliable partner . Thanks to her sales and customer service experience , Julie prioritizes creating ‘ customer intimacy ’. “ We win when our customers win , so we must stay in tune with that vision throughout our entire organization and keep customers at the center of our strategy .
“ This results in some of our products being co-developed with our clients , including working very closely across different touch points , not just research and development , but also marketing , communication , operations , customer service and sales .”
This holistic approach helps to drive Mativ ’ s purpose of finding the ‘ potential in the impossible ’ – Julie and her team always strive to create products that solve problems in the future . “ We identify opportunities by understanding the markets in which we compete and how our

customers win in those markets . Often , we address those unmet needs before the customer has even articulated a requirement for a product . Those are important parts of our strategy , unlocking growth with our with our customers enabling them to win in the marketplace is the only way we will continue to grow .”
Sharing information , customer feedback , staff insights and the different approaches taken across global sites can yield valuable results ; and to that end , Julie and her team are keen to embrace digital solutions that connect not just its own operations but also extend out to customers . “ It ’ s important to have real time visibility to performance , so having processes digitalized and the data instantly available increases our learning speed and improves how we communicate . Furthermore , our customers expect an efficient digital solution for how we engage and interact , and as a B2B company we mustn ’ t lose sight of that . The customer experience continues to evolve , and technology is a key part of maintaining and improving the relationship with our customers .
Exciting possibilities
“ From a manufacturing standpoint , customers are looking for a global supply chain with local supply because of the fluidity of today ’ s supply chain challenges . That is a trend that has reversed from what we have seen historically . Mativ has global supply chain strength , as well as availability locally , and that latter factor

Sharing information , customer feedback , staff insights and the different approaches taken across global sites can yield valuable results ...

also addresses the increasing importance of sustainable operations .” When Julie took the helm as Mativ CEO , her message to the combined workforce was that this was a fresh start . With plans now announced for a new , combined HQ in Alpharetta , Georgia , which will bring teams together in a space designed especially for them , the next few years look full of exciting possibilities . “ I couldn ’ t be prouder and more honored to be part of this merger ,” Julie ended . “ I am thrilled with the opportunities we have in front of us , the strength of the team we have put together and the progress we are making . Everyone is extremely focused and aligned and I am excited to see what we will do in the marketplace in the next 12 months .” ■

www . mativ . com
Interview
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