Almost 40 years in the industry accredit him as a great innovator in the coatings market. He is Rubén Vázquez.
By Laura Restrepo C.
Born in 1966 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rubén has excelled in the field of coatings for almost four decades.
Graduated as a Chemical Technician from his high school, he continued his studies in Chemical Engineering at the National Technological University. His foray into the world of work began quickly after school, when he was recruited as an analyst at the French medicinal laboratory Roussell Lutetia.
Over the years, he has accumulated vast experience working in various companies, from the medical field to the development of architectural and automotive paints. Currently, he works as assistant manager of automotive paints and thinners development at Sinteplast, the main paint company in Argentina.
Professionally, Ruben strives to closely follow developments in the field of coating technologies, improve his management skills, and collaborate with his team to optimize existing processes.
"The goal is to be able to continue to stay up to date on coating technologies, improve my management capabilities and work with my team in collaboration with other departments, in the optimization of existing processes. My focus would be on innovation, efficiency and comprehensive development, both professional and personal," says Rubén.
He is a family man and constantly seeks a balance between his work and personal life. His spouse and son are the ones who accompany him on his journey. In addition, his son is studying chemistry at the University of Buenos Aires, following in his father's footsteps in this field.
His personal interests range from woodworking to astronomy, a passion he has cultivated since his teens.
During his time in the industry, Ruben has witnessed significant changes, from technological advancements to government regulations on safety and the environment. He highlights the reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as one of the most important achievements, along with improvements in automation and occupational safety.
"One of the most important achievements has been the reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paints, which gave rise to technologies such as high solids paints, water-based high-performance paints or directly electrostatically applied powder paints. Also, government regulations on the content of precursor chemicals in solvents and on lead content in paints resulted in greater safety in production and application, lower emissions and more environmentally friendly coatings," he said.
Rubén greatly values the relationship with his work team and firmly believes in the importance of staff training and meeting objectives. He considers open and transparent communication to be essential, as well as sincere recognition of the team's achievements. Its active participation in the Ibero-American Technological Association of Paints, Adhesives and Inks, ATIPAT, reflects its commitment to continuous training in the industry.
"I am convinced that investing in training and skills development is key and that a team with up-to-date knowledge in their field can face the increasingly frequent changes."
Through his active participation in professional associations and his tireless pursuit of excellence, Rubén has left a lasting mark in the field of coatings.
When asked why he thought he was recognized in the guild, Rubén replied, a little incredulous: "I understand that after almost 40 years of participating as a formulator in this market, there are many suppliers and colleagues from other companies who know me. Also my participation of more than 24 years, first in SATER and then in ATIPAT, in different positions of the board of directors, gave visibility to my profession."
As for the future of the industry in Latin America, Rubén recognizes the current economic challenges in Argentina, but expects a gradual improvement in demand and access to raw materials. "Since I started in this industry, back in 1984 to the present, many things have changed, from the appearance of new technologies, the way of working in the laboratory, the automation of production tasks. This change in the ways of working was accompanied to a greater or lesser degree, with the most innovative companies and the most important in the market taking the most advantage of this evolution."
However, it warns of potential complications due to the import of finished products from Asian countries, which could affect local producers. "Given that, in our country, this industry is highly dependent on imports of raw materials, it is expected that its income, which until a few months ago was delayed, due to the limitations on foreign currency transfers, will be normalized. On the other hand, if there are no restrictions on the import of finished products, the entry of high value-added paints from Asian countries may complicate the outlook for local producers."
When talking about the current economic outlook of his country, he stresses that although he sees the decrease, hope is not lost. "In the economic context of Argentina today, the coatings market is recessive, witha significant drop in sales volume. It is expected that, in the medium term, this situation will slowly begin to improve and that demand will normalize."
Rubén Vázquez, with his vast experience and commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, embodies the spirit of leadership necessary to navigate the changing challenges of the coatings industry.
His dedication to staying up-to-date on the latest technologies, his emphasis on staff training, and his vision of collaboration and efficiency are fundamental pillars that have contributed not only to his personal success, but also to the advancement of the industry as a whole.
Their optimism for the future, despite the current economic challenges, reflects their confidence in the industry's potential for growth and development in Latin America. Ultimately, his legacy as an innovator and leader inspires future generations to follow in his footsteps and continue to raise industry standards for the benefit of all.
Leave your comment