麻豆直播app

On July 1st, Ralph Berkemann and Peter Bechtel started their new journey with 麻豆直播app Engineered Products. Both bring decades of experience in nonwovens and process technology and the curiosity to keep asking the right questions. Their goal isn鈥檛 to reinvent for the sake of change, but to challenge the 鈥渁s-is,鈥� explore new possibilities, and help both our teams and our customers move forward.听

For Ralph, stepping in as our new Nonwovens Technology Leader Europe, and Peter as Process Technology Leader Glass Nonwovens Europe, one thing is clear: real innovation always starts where the customer鈥檚 challenge begins.听

After their first weeks at JM, we sat down with them to hear how things are going, and what鈥檚 ahead.听听

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Two Journeys, One Mission听

Ralph is a true nonwovens veteran, more than 30 years deep in the field, with a career that鈥檚 taken him across every major technology, bonding method and product innovation challenge you can think of. He鈥檚 developed processes from the ground up, piloted new materials and scaled complex systems into production realities.听

鈥淚 was fortunate enough to have worked with nonwoven technologies utilizing everything from staple fibers, nanofibers, endless filaments and everything in between,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he same is true for bonding and lamination technologies. But in the end, it's always about the same thing: How do we create value for the customer? What helps them solve their real problems?鈥澨�听

Peter, on the other hand, brings a slightly different lens. His background is in the paper industry, but don鈥檛 let that fool you. The wet-laid technology he鈥檚 mastered is almost identical to the wet-laid nonwovens process and after nearly 20 years in specialty paper production and plant leadership, he鈥檚 eager to go deep into process technology again.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to merge my own experience with the local people and their know-how into a new context,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or me, this role is both a return to hands-on technology and a step into new territory. I see a lot of potential to connect what I鈥檝e done in paper with what we鈥檙e building in glass nonwovens.鈥澨�听

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Different Strengths, Same Direction听

What听makes this duo click is how seamlessly their different backgrounds听complement one another, a strength that became clear from day one at JM.听

Ralph leads product and technology development for glass and synthetic nonwovens in Europe. Peter focuses on process technology for glass nonwovens in Europe. They鈥檙e working in tandem, building the future, while supporting the present.听

鈥淚t became clear quickly why both of us were hired,鈥� Ralph laughed. 鈥淒ifferent paths, different tools, but the same goal.鈥澨�

鈥淲hat matters is what the customer needs and what value we can create together,鈥� Peter added.听听

And that value goes beyond product specs.听As听a supplier with manufacturing locations in Europe and North America, we鈥檙e听close enough to support many of our customers quickly - offering advice, yes,听but also being present on-site when it matters most. Whether it鈥檚 qualifying a new product, adapting it to fit the customer鈥檚 process, or solving issues in ongoing production, JM鈥檚 technical experts are ready to be on-site fast and hands-on.听

鈥淛M doesn鈥檛 just ship material and hope it works,鈥� Ralph said. 鈥淚f a customer runs into challenges or needs support integrating our product into their process, we鈥檙e right there with them. That听kind of service is simply part of who we are at JM - being close, responsive听and there when our customers need us.鈥澨�

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From Trend Watching to Trailblazing听

What do they see as the big shifts in the industry?听

Ralph points to automation and sustainability as key themes.听These听are more than buzzwords, they鈥檙e strategic priorities shaping JM鈥檚 work in听Western Europe and beyond.

鈥淩ecycling production waste is a massive opportunity,鈥� Peter explained. 鈥淏oth from an efficiency point of view and because our customers are demanding it. JM is already undertaking great initiatives here and I think we can achieve even more.鈥澨�

These aren鈥檛 abstract topics for them. They see trends as starting points. A challenge to find the right solution, not just follow the crowd.听

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Innovation Means Connection听

Yes, innovation is about big launches and breakthrough patents. But for Peter and Ralph, it鈥檚 just as much about relationships, listening, and getting close to real-world problems.听

鈥淪ometimes a customer doesn鈥檛 even know what they鈥檒l need next,鈥� Ralph said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not a flaw, that鈥檚 reality. Great innovation means we see around the corner and create something that moves the whole market forward.鈥澨�

He compared it to the era of portable CD players in the 1990s:听听

鈥淚f you'd asked what the market needed back then, most people would've said more energy efficient e-motors for CD drives. No one would鈥檝e predicted the iPod.听For听us, innovation means looking ahead and creating solutions customers may not听have imagined yet, but will soon find indispensable.鈥�

Peter agreed and brought it back to the customer experience.听听

鈥淲hat clients experience with us - the way we communicate, the way we show up, how fast we respond and support - that鈥檚 just as important as the product itself.鈥澨�

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It鈥檚 Personal听

Outside of the lab or production floor, both Peter and Ralph lead with heart.听

Peter is active in the Lions Club, where he supports local fundraising and social projects.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 simple,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e serve. That鈥檚 the Lions鈥� motto and honestly, it applies to this role too.鈥澨�听

Ralph, married, a father of three with three dogs, currently travels 1,300 kilometers / 810 mi every weekend to be with his family.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of time on the road,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut it matters. That鈥檚 where I refuel.鈥澨�

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Looking Forward听

Whether it鈥檚 exploring new materials, rethinking production systems, or diving deep into technical support, both Ralph and Peter are ready to connect, create, and collaborate.听

鈥淲e want people to reach out,鈥� said Ralph. 鈥淲e want to hear from you, your challenges, your projects, your ideas.鈥澨�

鈥淥ur doors are open,鈥� Peter added. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to listen. And to serve.鈥澨�