Executive Interview Series

Chris Hansen, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Clariant, provides insight into Clariant’s digital initiatives and AI utilization strategies. A fundamental focus on system globalization, data integration and master data quality gave Clariant a solid foundation for implementing powerful generative AI tools such as Clarita, their internal large language model. Chris sees more potential still in further leveraging these technologies across the business to connect past insights with present actions to optimize for the future.

Celeste Mastin, President & CEO of H.B. Fuller, provides a look behind the curtain of H.B. Fuller’s innovative approach to digital, including how AI and other technologies drive efficiencies for the business now and in the future. In this wide-ranging interview, Celeste provides insights into how H.B. Fuller embraces digital transformation to build collaborative experiences with its customers, provide best-in-class experiences, accelerate strategic acquisitions, and more.

Eric Byer, President & CEO of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), discusses the organization's key priorities and future goals. Discover how ACD is dedicated to supporting its members in managing regulatory and tax requirements, promoting sustainability, embracing digital transformation, and retaining top talent.

Megan Gluth-Bohan, Owner & CEO of Catalynt (formerly TRInternational), shares about the changing expectations of customers in the industry, and the use of technology as a means of differentiation. While highly technical work still requires human input, adding tech to the customer experience can diversify the workforce and provide valuable data and market intelligence with a front-facing customer tech experience.

Hartmut Kunz, CFO of OQEMA, shares about how centralized and harmonized data is a critical investment for OQEMA’s future. Learn about how OQEMA has the unique opportunity to create new centralized systems that can boost efficiency and solve the challenge of maintaining the customization that their customers have come to expect.

Stefan Girschik, CEO of Meraxis Group, joins Knowde to share about the future of distribution in the polymer industry. Under Girschik’s leadership, Meraxis has emerged as an industry leader positioned for success in an increasingly digital world. Learn how digital transformation functions as a key enabler and differentiator for Meraxis as the industry welcomes increasing sustainability opportunities and regulatory changes.

Stephan Glander, CEO of Biesterfeld Group, joins Knowde and shares how digital transformation of knowledge management can grow market share and attract the best new talent. A rapid change to the workforce demographics is reshaping the expectations of the way we all do business. Sustaining a long-term advantage hinges on sharing institutional knowledge digitally.

Neville Prior, Chairman of Cornelius Group and former President of the FECC, shares about how digital transformation allows distributors to reframe themselves as innovators in the industry and add to the ability to acquire new customers, while not necessarily increasing the cost to acquire them. Digitalization is not only going to be one of the major tools in helping with areas of supply chain and sustainability, but will be key in attracting and retaining young talent to the chemical industry.

John Lin, Chief Business Officer of Evera by Citrosuco, joins Knowde and shares about why it's crucial to get both your customer-facing and internal data infrastructure right. Creating an accessible product database and tracking customer interactions to improve customer experience, while also digitally standardizing internal interactions that can be spread out across teams in multiple continents are imperative for business transformation.

Jeff Immelt, former CEO of General Electric, joins Knowde to share his perspective as one of the earliest adopters and catalysts of digital in the industrials space. Tune into his 40 years of industry experience, as he gives advice on how leaders in the chemical industry today should think about why and how fast they should pursue digital transformation.