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Tell us a bit about your role at Milliken, what does it involve?

I am a Regional Technical Service Chemist for the Borchers brand of performance coating additives.  I work closely with  customers, utilizing my knowledge of additives to support their technical needs. My projects typically involve working with customer samples (paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc.), running technical studies in our lab, and providing desired solutions. Project tasks includes performance improvement, the replacement of certain raw materials, or reformulating due to regulatory changes.

What are the main ways you can help Milliken’s customers?

I offer technical support to customers formulating with our coating additives. This involves running studies and optimization processes to provide them with readily-available technical solutions for their issues.

How does your expert knowledge of Milliken’s products help customers when they need Milliken’s technical service?

Formulating with coating additives can be complicated as some products are specifically designed for certain types of formulations and require experience in handling. I am able to guide customers through their trials and help them save time on evaluations and lab tests. I am also bilingual  (I speak Polish and English), so my language skills help resolve communication challenges with customers in multiple regions.

What does a typical week look like for you?

Typically, I have multiple customer projects and various stages of testing that I am working on each week, which requires a lot of planning in order to make the week as efficient as possible.  This includes everything from sample preparation, the application of the samples, the test itself, and result evaluations. I also provide customers with updates on the progress of their projects. 

What do you like most about your position?

For me, the best part of my job is that it is very dynamic and challenging. Every day, I face different issues and I need to stay focused to find the right solutions.  I really like my team and how we support one another. I also enjoy traveling to visit with our customers; it brings me great satisfaction whenever I can help  solve their problem.

Do you have a particular customer success story or a highlight that you are proud of?

Last year, a customer approached us with a color compatibility issue in their paint for protective and marine applications. They were receiving complaints from the market and could not find a solution for their problem. We received their samples and within a few weeks, I was able to come back to them with the solution. The customer reproduced the results and confirmed that it completely resolved their issue, and even decided to replace their current dispersing agent with the one I recommended. Within only a few months from the start of the project, the customer began buying our product and they were very grateful for our support and assistance.

What’s is your favorite Milliken memory?

My favorite Milliken memory is a sales meeting that took place in April 2022 at our Westlake, Ohio location in which our technical service team from Europe was invited to join. We spent five days taking part in great meetings and discussions with the chance to integrate with our Milliken colleagues from the US and other locations. For me, it was very important to meet my colleagues in person, especially after the difficult pandemic years. I was very grateful to join such an event.

What’s special about Milliken’s Chemical business?

I really love the professionalism at Milliken and the quality of our products. It is a pleasure to recommend products that truly provide great performance and have a positive impact on the market. What I also value is Milliken’s sustainability approach. I am happy to be part of a company that takes our planet seriously and seeks solutions to make our lives healthier.

What’s one piece of advice you have for someone looking for a job or internship at Milliken?

If you are ambitious and open-minded, you should apply to Milliken. You will get a chance to work in a great environment for a company with excellent values and compassion for its people.