SuperSealer Mike Shutack
February’s SuperSealer is a first-time grandfather who’s been making an impact at Trelleborg for 15 years. He discusses what makes Trelleborg special, how he approached the challenges of recent years, and what excites him about our future (aside from grandparenting duties).
Who are you?
Mike Shutack, Sales Director Americas. I’m based at our office in Aurora OH, USA.
How long have you worked in this position and what are your key duties?
I’ve spent seven years in my current role. In my daily work, I focus on managing Trelleborg’s American sales activities across three key business segments: Architectural, Automotive, and Aerospace. My duties are wide-ranging, but they include helping the building and construction industries address their most pressing challenges, coordinating the sale of engineered polymer solutions for use in automotive applications, and supporting the airline industry in meeting extremely stringent safety regulations. In each of these areas, I strategically plan the launch of new products and services while always keeping the customer in mind.
How long have you been with Trelleborg in total and what do you like about working with Trelleborg?
I’ve been here a while! I’d been at Trelleborg for eight years before taking up my current position, so it’s been 15 years in total. My experience in the polymer industry goes back even further – I’ve been working in the field for 25 years.
Several things about Trelleborg stand out to me. First, I appreciate working at a company where innovation is a core value. With our innovative mindset, we do so much to improve our customers’ business performance and sustainability, and I’m always excited to see what we’ll do next. Similarly, I value how forward thinking we are – our commitments to circularity and protecting the soil are just two examples that come to mind. And finally, I’ve benefited greatly from the opportunity to develop and expand my skills at Trelleborg. In my 15 years here, I’m very grateful for how much I’ve learned.
What are the key challenges you face in your job?
There’s no denying the fact that 2020 and 2021 were both challenging years for Trelleborg – and my job was no exception. During the pandemic, we had to adapt our stakeholder management and serve our customers in new ways. This obviously presented some difficulties, but with a strong team and company support, we were able to get through it together. I’m proud of everyone on my team for how they responded to the challenges we faced.
How do you think the business in your area is going to evolve in the future? How are you preparing for this?
There’s no shortage of major trends affecting our business right now. Technology is advancing fast, quality standards are going up, and the global economy is moving toward more sustainable energy consumption. The best way to thrive in this environment is to continue expanding our capabilities. If we do this, we’ll be able to serve customers in our markets more effectively, whatever the future holds.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m a proud first-time grandfather, so I spend a lot of my free time seeing the newest addition to my family. I’m also fond of the great outdoors. You can often find me at the lake, soaking up the tranquil surroundings – or maybe going for a swim if the water’s warm enough!
