People of Power Adhesives – Brad Groves
As we celebrate 50 Years of Innovation at Power Adhesives, we are sitting down and talking with some of our brilliant team as part of our People of Power Adhesives Series.
First up is Brad Groves, Adhesive Production Manager. Brad is in his 15th year with us here at Power Adhesives and during our chat we discuss his career to date, key stand out innovation moments and his vision for the future at Power Adhesives.
How did your journey with Power Adhesives begin?
My journey with Power Adhesives started back in 2010. I joined as a Production Controller, working between the Adhesives and Applicators teams. My role involved managing works orders and offering assistance where needed. Over time, I developed a keen interest in the production of adhesives. I worked closely with the Technical team, the Lab, and the Production Manager to learn more about how the products were made. The deeper I got into the process, the more invested I became, and that’s where my real passion started.
What made you choose to stay with the company for so long?
It’s the people. The backbone of Power Adhesives is its people. From the start, I noticed that many of the staff were long-term veterans, which was reassuring for someone new like me. Over the years, I’ve built friendships that I know will last a lifetime. When you work alongside people you trust and respect, you almost become like a family. The opportunity to grow and learn from those around me made staying an easy decision.
How has your role evolved over the years?
My initial role was a bit of a hybrid, I was the go-to person between the Adhesives and Applicators teams, managing a mix of tasks like works orders, stock management, and label creation. But as my interest in adhesives deepened, I naturally gravitated toward that side of the business. I spent more time working closely with the lab and glue lines, which eventually led me to become a Production Supervisor.
In 2023, I stepped into the role of Adhesives Production Manager, overseeing one of the largest departments in the company. Now, I’m responsible for purchasing raw materials, managing production planning for six lines, and supervising a repack team. It’s a high-pressure role that keeps me on my toes, but I’m lucky to have a great team that understands what needs to be done and supports me along the way.
What’s one innovation or project you’re most proud of?
There have been many over the years, but one that stands out is our recent branding and labelling refresh. Early in my career, I was shown how to create labels using a mix of ERP, text files, and visual basic script. I became the go-to person for anything related to labels, so naturally, I was involved when it came time to explore new labelling options.
During a visit to a tech company to evaluate a label applicator, I noticed they had inkjet printers capable of printing in detailed colour. At the time, Power was using thermal transfusion, which only allowed for single-colour prints, limiting the quality and flexibility of our labels.
With Power undergoing a brand refresh, this discovery was perfectly timed. We invested in new printers and redesigned the labels to incorporate multiple colours, removing the need for non-recyclable inks from our cartons. This not only improved the overall branding but also boosted our EcoVadis score, a significant step forward in our sustainability journey. It was a lengthy project that took months to complete, but with the help of key colleagues, we pulled it off. I’m proud to have played a part in it.
How does Power Adhesives stay ahead in the industry?
Versatility. Despite our size, we’re agile enough to adapt and meet the needs of both large corporations and smaller businesses. We started as a family business, so we understand the challenges that smaller operations face. Whether it’s competitive pricing or tight lead times, we do whatever it takes to deliver results. Collaboration is key here, everyone works together to achieve the end goal, which keeps us ahead in a competitive market.
How have you seen technology or processes change since you started?
The biggest change has been in line technology. When I started, we had three production lines. Now, we have six! Initially, we specialised in shaped adhesives, which remains our core offering. But with the addition of bulk lines, we’ve expanded into bulk adhesives, opening up new opportunities and markets. Watching this growth and being part of it has been incredible.
Where do you see Power Adhesives heading in the next 5–10 years?
One area that really excites me is the potential growth into other markets, and expanding our footprint as a business. We’re already exporting large amounts globally, and, given the demand and opportunities there are, we’ve often talked about the possibility of expanding further.
Personally, I’d love the chance to be part of any potential expansion of the business! The future is full of possibilities, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.
Keep your eye out for more People of Power Adhesives blogs in the future as we continue our 50 Years of Innovation celebrations.
