It's Interesting Times For Tyre Recycling Industry

Mike Hinsey, International Vice President, Granutech Saturn Systems, USA, a leading industrial recycling systems manufacturer, is widely considered to be a legend in the tyre recycling industry. He has been with Granutech for 33 long years and has been instrumental in taking the company to the world’s Top 3 position. Among the awards and accolades won by him include the coveted award from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), USA, the largest recycling association in the world, for his outstanding contribution to the recycling industry. In an interview to Rubber Asia on the sidelines of India Rubber Expo (IRE) 2017 in Chennai, he explains the high points of his 33-yearlong association with Granutech and shares his views on wide-ranging issues such as the current status and future prospects of tyre recycling industry, the problem of mounting tyre wastes, recent innovations/improvements made in tyre recycling technology etc. He says that the new developments in processing and product applications augur well for the industry, which continues on a path to produce finer and finer powder, find opportunities to blend rubber with plastics, and expand other traditional granulate markets. He feels that India is a unique case where demand for rubber granulate exceeds supply of scrap tyres and the scrap tyres have a value where processors are paying to receive the tyres. Excerpts from the interview:

You are widely acknowledged as a living legend in the global tyre recycling industry. Please explain how you got attracted to tyre recycling as a career and what have been your major contributions to the industry.

I don’t view myself as any sort of legend, nor do I believe others do. I am fortunate to have been involved in an industry for more than three decades and have met and learned from true industry veterans. My position allows me to see and meet the best in the world, learn from what make them successful, and perhaps share an idea or two that helps them.

Having been involved in the global recycling community I place a high value on relationships and wanting to see a customer be successful. I believe that customers view my intentions as genuine and as such, they are candid and open with me about their business.

I see first-hand how supporting and contributing to an industry rewards you in many different ways, from direct machinery sales to professional growth, and innumerable friendships.

You have been with Granutech for 33 long years and has been instrumental in taking the company to the world’s Top 3 position. Please explain how you achieved this rare feat and also please give us an insight into your management philosophy that helped you to achieve outstanding corporate success.

To be candid, I joined the firm in 1983 at the age of 24 with little vision that I would get to this position, have the chance to meet the people I have, and be a part of such an emerging industry.