Every voice matters: Dave Sunderland

Dave Sunderland next to the Trelleborg logo
Date: 06.10.25
From his earliest days at Sil-Pro in 2008, Dave Sunderland set out to make a genuine difference. Coming from a larger company where he often felt like just a number, Dave was drawn to Sil-Pro’s tight-knit atmosphere and the reassurance that his voice and his work would matter.

Not just a number

In 2019, Trelleborg acquired Sil-Pro and Dave’s initial reaction was cautious optimism, thinking he may be 'just a number' again. Instead, he was happy to discover that Trelleborg fosters an environment where every voice counts and is heard. Today, Dave is a Tooling Supervisor of a talented team of nine great people. Whether repairing essential molds, developing complex new tools or ensuring seamless production, Dave finds purpose in the knowledge that his work keeps his team inspired.

Driving innovation

Trelleborg’s dedication to investing in its people and facilities is evident through its ongoing local expansion efforts. Dave shares, "Trelleborg has expanded by adding new facilities, enlarging the toolroom, increasing clean room space and bringing in more talented individuals. We are now gearing up for the upcoming Innovation Center move and expansion project at the Delano facility, scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and expected to be completed by early 2027."

The future

When asked what advice he’d offer the next generation of Trelleborg employees, Dave’s guidance is simple: work hard, ask questions, seek support when needed, push beyond your comfort zone, and never give up because no problem is unsolvable with dedication and teamwork.
​

Discover more stories from our 120-year history and explore how we continue to shape industry from the inside: 120 year anniversary