Hi James. Can you start by telling us a little bit about your background?
Before joining Trelleborg, I spent about 10 years working in the automotive industry, having trained as a mechanical engineer. During this time, I was involved in a number of projects looking at technologies aiming to reduce vehicle emissions, such as hybrid battery packs. Then about nine years ago now, I joined Trelleborg, and I now lead the development of our LNG hose systems within the oil and marine department.
Did you always want to be a mechanical engineer?
I would say so, yes. Even when I was a kid I loved science and the technical side of things. Growing up I wanted to become an aeronautical engineer - I’ve always been a massive aviation enthusiast! It was this love for mechanics and solving problems through technical solutions that led me to become a mechanical engineer.
What would you be if you weren’t a mechanical engineer?
The alternative would have been research, or something related to aviation. Probably a pilot.
Can you tell us a bit about your current role at Trelleborg?
I’ve been involved in the development of the Cryoline LNG hose from the very beginning. Until last year I was purely involved in the technical aspects of the project - so the development and qualification of the hose. I spent a lot of time focusing on the hose itself – so developing a hose that is robust, reliable and able to operate at extremely low temperatures. I’m still heavily involved in this, however in addition I am now also the segment manager – so I’m in charge of technical support for the sales department and providing information to potential customers.
What are your favorite aspects of the job?
I’m very enthusiastic about innovation through engineering – something that my job requires a lot of! I’m a creative person, so I like problem solving through creative thinking.
What trends are you currently seeing in the oil and gas industry?
One of the biggest issues at the moment for the LNG industry is how to find new infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of a growing demand for LNG as a marine fuel and as a power source. Current infrastructure isn’t adapted to meet a lot of the challenges caused by this growing demand, and new windows have opened up for new, innovative solutions, such as the Universal Transfer System, which we launched last October in partnership with Connect LNG and Gas Natural Fenosa.
Finally, what sort of things do you enjoy doing outside of work?
As I mentioned before, I’m a huge aviation enthusiast, so I spend some time flying a glider. There’s a lot of teamwork involved when flying a glider – for example, you need help putting it on the runway. There’s a real sense of community, which I really enjoy.
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