Ricardo Gonzalez

Ricardo Gonzalez is responsible for Munters' factory in Monterrey, Mexico. He believes in leading by example. Together with his team, he works tirelessly to create a more sustainable operation.

What does sustainability mean to you?

When I think about sustainability, I think about the future and in particular about the future of coming generations. I have two daughters. They mean everything to me. I would like to leave a better world for them.

How do you contribute to a more sustainable Munters?

As leaders, we need to lead by the example. This is something that I think about all the time. Whether we like it or not, there are many people who follow our actions and copy our behavior. Our leadership can affect our teams in a positive or negative way. It’s about how we want to be reminded - as someone who wants to change the world or as someone who is waiting for someone else to change the world. With those words in mind, leaders must begin the positive change and inspire others to do the same.

How do you or your team contribute to a more sustainable world? 

Our team works on several projects to support a more sustainable company and a more sustainable world.

For example, we use software to correct any deviations in our production processes faster. By controlling what is important in real time, we reduce the scrap. Less scrap means less waste disposal and less use of raw materials. We also work continuously to reduce non-value added activities, such as unnecessary movement, over-processing and defects. The work has increased our output, improved delivery and reduced electricity consumption by 20 per cent since 2017.

Other initiatives include improving the saturation of the containers we use for transport, developing a network of local suppliers and reducing the transport of raw materials. A good example of this is the sourcing of phenolic resin in 2019, which reduced the transport of the product from 3000 km to 15 km.

Although we have already made many good improvements, the team continues to work on new initiatives to improve the performance of the factory.

We have to take care of our planet. It’s the only home we have. If not for us, let’s do it for generations to come. They will be very thankful.

Curious to find out how we work with sustainability? Read more here.