If you had to describe 2024 in one word, what would it be?

I think it would have to be “pivotal”.
Why? Like many companies in the construction space, we had been anticipating continued market growth post- Covid. But the reality is that the markets around the world began stalling already by late 2022 or earlier – which is much easier to see in hindsight, of course. So, considering this broader context, 2024 was pivotal because we realised that plans to serve anticipated market growth were simply not going to cut it. A different approach was needed.

I think of it like riding a bike up a mountain: if the tailwind is propelling you forward, you can go fast – but without it, you really need muscle and technique to keep pace. It means being much more selective about opportu-nities: where can we win, and where must we adapt or step back? The story of 2024 was about shifting gears to set the company up for future success. What we already know is that we have an enormous opportunity to streamline processes and refine the way we operate – and this is what we have started doing this year. 

Has shifting gears been your main priority since becoming Managing Director in 2024?

Very much so. Over the last 25 years, Aliaxis has grown significantly through acquisitions, growing from a small company to become the largest player in the market – at least 40% bigger than our nearest competitor. The challenge for a group like ours is finding the best way to leverage scale and draw on the unique strengths of each individual entity. To achieve that, we need consistent and reliable data, processes and roadmaps: identifying who is responsible for what, where our expertise lies (hint: it’s not always at head-quarters!), and sharing knowledge effectively to make success flow. Our market positions vary by region, but we have the firepower to lead where we choose to lead – that’s where our focus needs to be.  

What are the current trends shaping the way Aliaxis operates?

There are many trends out there, but a key one for us is that more and more customers seek integrated systems from a single supplier. Our systems are unusual in the sense that you know they are working well when you completely forget about them – the only time you are aware of a plumbing issue in your house is when something goes wrong. Most people don’t even know where the pipes are in their house! The same principle applies to infrastructure, industrial applications and electrical. And so really, the ideal outcome is a system so efficient it becomes invisible. Our rich product portfolio means we can deliver quality systems specifically designed to work seamlessly together and give people lasting peace of mind. 

To deliver, we need to stay a technology leader. Aliaxis is a high-tech, precision extrusion and injection moulding company that designs complex piping systems for buildings and infrastructure. Moving from Chair to Managing Director, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many people across the company, and it’s been truly inspiring to see firsthand the sheer depth of knowledge and expertise we have globally. The challenge is connecting and coordinating this expertise within the organisation to fully take advantage of our strengths. 

Looking ahead, what do you think the groundwork laid in 2024 will make possible in the years to come?

This year we started the journey to simplify our processes and clarify our common priorities. To use the bike metaphor again, this journey is about building the strength we need to climb the mountain, harnessing the best techniques to do it efficiently and ensuring we have the right technology to get us uphill. If we can do that building on collective intelligence, I am confident we will maintain our leadership position.