This talk is also the first talk we are going to run as a hybrid event.  We ask you for your patience as this is the first time we are doing this, and while we have a good idea of what we are doing, who knows what will happen on the night.

Abstract:

Come along on the journey of a small company striving for niches in a mature but changing industry. While the voyage started from an NZ focus, it quickly moved into providing solutions to Australasia and worldwide. Throughout the trip, the emphasis was on the importance of partnerships with Customers, Suppliers, Institutions and even competitors. Examples will be given of journeys from Concept to Market success and the imperative to really understand the customer's needs.

Bio:

Don Waddingham has been the Technical Director for Uroxsys Ltd for the past 33 years. As co-founder, he developed the initial coatings product range, largely epoxy and polyurethane (1K and 2K). He then moved into developing the polyurethane (moisture cure) prepolymer range for use in adhesives and clear coats.

Before that Don was:

• Technical Manager at Tergo Industries (back again), working in the field of chemical cleaning products and epoxy and polyurethane coatings.
• Development Manager for Nylex (NZ), working on flame retardant PVC wall cladding, flexible and rigid PVC calendering, spread coated nylon fabric, printing inks and lacquers.
• Chief Chemist, Chemicals Division, Auckland Gas Co. for 6 years. Manufacture of chemical cleaning products, initially from by-products of the coal gas industry. The division was later made a subsidiary (Tergo Industries) and later acquired by Chemetall (BASF).
• Technical Officer Balm Paints at Panmure plant for 4 years. His first "real" job out of university. BALM (British Australian Lead Manufacture) was part of the ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) Group. Now part of the Dulux Group. He was initially employed as Technical Officer in the Technical Service Laboratory. After two years promoted to Group Leader, Automotive. Responsible for technical service to customers in automotive assembly and refinish and ACP metal pre-treatment. (Amchem, now part of Henkel)
• University of Auckland
• Suva Grammar School