SPONSOR INTERVIEW
Chris Ferrelli, Commercial Director- Industrial, Bemis Associates
Can you tell us about your role at Bemis Associates Inc. and what your responsibilities entail?
Chris Ferrelli, Commercial Director- Industrial at Bemis Associates. I lead all commercial activities for our Industrial group, with a focus on the Automotive, Apparel Construction, Medical, Converting, and General Industrial markets. I am responsible for all sales growth and development, customer engagement, and marketing efforts for Bemis’ Industrial team.
What innovative new trend or technology is particularly interesting for you currently?
There are two trends that are particularly interesting to me at this time. First, within the automotive space, there is a focus on very lightweight, high-performance materials with critical bonding applications. These materials help manufacturers reduce cost, increase comfort and/or reduce environmental footprint. The demand for these types of materials has exploded; fortunately, this demand falls within Bemis’ core competencies, so I’m excited by the possibilities. Second, across the entire Industrial space, we’re seeing a more intense, focused approach to sustainability from all our customers. Sustainability has been a critical focus at Bemis for years. We’ve undertaken a wide variety of initiatives to reduce our impact on the planet and to achieve our stated goal of Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050, so we’re excited to see other companies adopt a similar focus.
What are you most excited about for Adhesives & Bonding Expo 2023?
This year marks the first year Bemis Associates will have a booth at the Adhesives & Bonding Expo. I, and members of our team, have attended shows in the past, but this is the first time our company will have space to share our story and our unique group of adhesives and bonding products. We’re excited to meet current and prospective customers, hear about their pain points, and share solutions. We’re also excited to develop new relationships and learn more about the industries we serve. It’s going to be a fantastic week!
Why should attendees visit your booth?
Certainly, anyone who has a demanding bonding application and is looking for a true partner -- not just a supplier -- should drop by and meet our team. Our team enjoys the opportunity to sit down, talk about challenges and pain points and work with customers to develop solutions. But I don’t want to put any limits on it. We welcome everyone to come by and learn about Bemis. Afterall, you never know when you’ll need a new bonding solution.
If you could have one famous person (present or from the past) over for dinner, who would they be and why?
I’ve always admired Benjamin Franklin and would love to pick his brain and hear his stories. He was a true innovator who thought outside the box and was motivated by possibilities and the challenge of identifying needs and creating solutions.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what one item would you bring?
Assuming a motorboat is not an acceptable answer, I’ll say a flint set. With a flint set, you can create fire, which is one of the most fundamental survival tools. With fire, I could boil salt water to make it drinkable, keep myself warm, create smoke to attract rescue teams… the list goes on and on.
