Matcon is excited to welcome Jaki Billy as our new Regional Sales Manager. In this role, she will be responsible for developing and managing relationships with our customers on the east coast of the United States.
Tell us about you and your experience in the powder handling industry
Matcon has been a big part of my life for the last 14 years. I've had the opportunity to work in various departments, from inside sales and operations to our aftermarket department. I've gained valuable knowledge about our equipment and the industries we serve in each role.
When the opportunity came to join the sales team, I saw it as a chance to use my existing Matcon knowledge to help new and current customers overcome their powder handling challenges. I'm excited to be in this position and to help our clients find solutions to improve efficiency and reduce product waste.
What do you think sets Matcon apart?
The most significant difference is our focus on the customer's entire process, not just the equipment we provide. We use our vast experience to make suggestions for both upstream and downstream processes to maximize the customer's productivity.
We can run full-scale tests in our lab in New Jersey to ensure that the customer knows exactly what they can expect from our equipment. It's also no secret that powder handling can pose many challenges, including segregation, bridging, and rat-holing. This can be a significant problem for many industries that rely on blended powders, as it can lead to inconsistency and waste. Initially invented by Matcon, the Cone Valve IBC is a system that has been proven to solve these issues.
Another key difference is that since our systems are designed using containers, the production line can handle multiple recipes without worrying about cross-contamination. Our tumble blender doesn't have any product touch points, so there is no downtime for cleaning in between campaigns. The IBC is the blending vessel, which is then taken offline to clean so that production never slows. We can refill speed packers easily and eliminate many issues other tote systems face.
What do you think are the key challenges that customers face when it comes to powder handling?
To be competitive in today's market, manufacturing companies need the flexibility to produce different recipes in various quantities and accommodate rushed orders.
Imagine what would happen if you could triple your productivity.
A Matcon IBC system provides our customers with a flexible, agile production facility that can meet ever-changing customer demands and cope with many recipe changes daily. Please look at our case study section to see how we increased versability and enhanced manufacturing capability for our clients.
Some of our customers don't realize that they even have a problem. They have a butterfly valve or slide gate tote and beat it on the side to promote powder flow. It may have been how it's always been done, but we can show how with our Cone Valve IBCs, we can take these challenges out of the equation and focus on other parts of the process.
Do you think a Matcon System could be used to help with growth and forecasting?
One of the great benefits of Matcon equipment is its flexibility or modularity. Our customers can start simply with a Discharge Station and a couple of IBCs to decouple an existing mixing system, then add more storage containers and maybe a blender as their needs grow.
This modular approach makes it easy to tailor our products to each customer's individual requirements, and we can offer ROI calculations to show how Matcon can benefit their bottom line. By investing in Matcon equipment, our customers can be sure they're getting a system that will scale with their business, providing long-term value.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to improve their manufacturing operation?
The best piece of advice I can give is to take a step back and look at your entire process. There may be areas you're not even aware of that could be improved. Once you've identified the pain points, reach out to Matcon who can help you find the right solution.
Don't be afraid to think outside the box, as it can pay off in the long run. We can provide guidance on getting your product to flow better and eliminate wasted batches.
As for improving capacity, in some cases, it may be as simple as decoupling the process. However, other circumstances may require a more comprehensive approach involving process redesign.
Whatever the solution, it's important to work with experienced professionals who can help you implement the changes necessary to unlock your manufacturing potential.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about Matcon products and services, please don't hesitate to contact Jaki. She'll be happy to discuss your specific needs and offer tailored solutions.
