Andrew Cook
When Andrew Cook started at Munters in 2000, the US economy was booming. As a newly graduated application engineer in an attractive job market, he already had several job offers lined up. What made Munters stand out was its size.
Global, yet local
“It is small enough to make a difference but large enough to have a global footprint,” he says.
As an application engineer providing technical support to the sales teams, Andrew realized he was more drawn to the commercial side of the business.
“Engineering wasn’t my strongest suit, so I gravitated toward sales and marketing. I even did some direct sales in the food market for a while.”
Securing operations
Making sure the production of food meets the highest standard is one of things Munters does best, and Andrew has witnessed many times how industries have come to rely on his team’s expertise in dehumidification.
“In 2003, we got involved in compensation control for meat processing. We had quite a few customers that were facing shutdowns and potentially going out of business. Thanks to our technology, they could satisfy the USDA requirements and keep the plants up and running.”
Cross-border collaboration
Among the companies Andrew has had the pleasure of working with is one of the world’s largest confectionary manufacturers, known for producing some of the most popular chocolate and sweet brands. “They developed their products here in the US, but their production was distributed on plants all over the world. To develop a solution that can be implemented globally creates a great value add for a multinational player.”
The first step was to join forces with Munters colleagues in Europe and deliver the solution to plants in the UK, the Netherlands and in Germany. Then it was time for China. “We successfully navigate cultural and regulatory differences. Now, their confectionary, wherever it is produced, has the same texture thanks to Munters.”
An M-style leader
Today Andrew oversees all Munters AirTech HCT operations in Americas, from Canada all the way to Argentina.
“Our CEO Klas Forsström always talk about M-Style leadership where leaders are concerned with fostering group cohesiveness, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere, and showing appreciation for their team, and I think I have unintentionally done that,” he says.
More than a factory project
One of the bigger projects that Andrew has overseen is the construction of Munters new factory in Amesbury, Massachusetts, on the East Coast. “We've always talked about our energy efficient products and how we support our customers in saving energy. Now we incorporate that thinking into our buildings.”
Designing the new building brought the whole team together and a sustainability committee was formed. “I was amazed at how many people volunteered to be on the committee and how many brilliant ideas they came up with. It's great when the company vision actually matters to the employees.”
The project has not only made Andrew more self-aware of his impact as a leader. It has also positively affected his family. “What I’m taking part of at work I’m sharing with my kids and wife back home.”
Life is a journey
As for the future, Andrew believes Munters AirTech HCT Americas has a bright future ahead with a bigger production footprint in Amesbury and the opening of a new factory in Monterrey, Mexico, in the pipeline.
“I have a friend who always tells me she hates when people say they are on a journey, and I always say we are on a journey — because we are, and the journey never ends.”