thermoforming . He created the first commercial application of Bakelite for electrical fuse boxes around the early 1900s . In the 1950s he was a true plastics pioneer , inventing plastic injection moulding and building a business that created kitchenware .
Growing up with him , I had access to fantastic equipment in his garage – it was sort of a prototype lab and place to experiment . This early exposure gave me easy access to manufacturing technology and expertise and I developed an affinity for the industry .
I ’ ve worked as an industrial designer creating products from handheld electronic banking terminals and architectural products . I ’ ve also worked as a design engineer for automotive components . In the late 1990s , I chose to specialise in software , forging my entry into product life cycle management and manufacturing execution software . This led me to join Microsoft in the early 2000s to build their industry expertise , offers and partners .
I was attracted to Microsoft ’ s commitment to driving positive change in the manufacturing industry .
With my grassroots experience , I saw numerous opportunities where digital solutions could make a significant impact : improving lives , enhancing products , creating economies and generating jobs .
60 January 2025