kp and me: Paul Rawlings - 60 years of kp edition
Paul Rawlings is the Launch Manager in kp’s Food Packaging division. Three generations of his family have worked here, and moving to Poland, as kp commissioned a factory in Bukowice, was the catalyst for many life changes. We recently revisited Paul’s journey with kp, and here is what he had to share.
What do you do at kp?
I like to think of myself as an innovator, and kp has always allowed me the flexibility to pursue my ideas and to try new things. As Launch Manager, I help steer innovations from the ideate stage, through the stage gate process and into manufacturing and commercialisation. I love being the link between the engineers who develop the products and the commercial side of the business that gets them on sale and delivered to customers.
I’ve worked at kp all my life, and my connection with the company goes back as far as I can remember. We call kp ‘the family firm’ because Rawlings have worked here for the past 50 years!
Paul Rawlings
Launch Manager, kp Food Packaging division
How long have you worked at kp for?
I’ve worked at kp all my life, and my connection with the company goes back as far as I can remember. We call kp ‘the family firm’ because Rawlings have worked here for the past 50 years!
My dad, uncle and cousin all worked at kp’s Featherstone plant in the UK. Dad started as a machine operator in 1973, when it was part of Linpac, and I grew up with him doing night shifts.
I joined in 1989 as a 16-year-old apprentice. I was lucky enough to be trained by great craftspeople; they didn’t just teach you how something worked, they taught you how everything worked. We were trained as multi-skilled apprentices, responsible for every machine and process in a specific area of the plant: electronics, mechanics, the lot. It was the best apprenticeship going, and it’s the training that got me where I am today.
My dad, uncle and cousin all worked at kp’s Featherstone plant in the UK. Dad started as a machine operator in 1973, when it was part of Linpac, and I grew up with him doing night shifts.
I joined in 1989 as a 16-year-old apprentice. I was lucky enough to be trained by great craftspeople; they didn’t just teach you how something worked, they taught you how everything worked. We were trained as multi-skilled apprentices, responsible for every machine and process in a specific area of the plant: electronics, mechanics, the lot. It was the best apprenticeship going, and it’s the training that got me where I am today.
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In 2002 I first went to Poland. The plan was to build a new factory in Bukowice. I landed at a military airport with a shed for a customs building, drove for an hour through the countryside and arrived at a crossroads when the guy I was with pointed to a field and said: “That’s the place.”
The country was very different to how it is now and building a factory from scratch to meet European standards was tricky. But I instantly fell in love with its fiercely passionate people and independent spirit.
The country was very different to how it is now and building a factory from scratch to meet European standards was tricky. But I instantly fell in love with its fiercely passionate people and independent spirit.
After working on the Bukowice build, I couldn’t leave it alone and went back to work with the general manager, Tomasz Leopold, to get the site up and running. I worked alongside him for 2.5 years and learnt a vast amount.
It came as a huge shock when he was killed in a car crash, as was finding out I was needed to take over his job literally the next day. I’d helped design and build the plant, so I knew it inside out. But I was going to have to take his place as operations manager, running the entire site. I hadn’t done any management, my Polish wasn’t great, and I immediately had to start looking after 120 people. It was a huge responsibility and privilege, and 20 years later, I’m still here.
It came as a huge shock when he was killed in a car crash, as was finding out I was needed to take over his job literally the next day. I’d helped design and build the plant, so I knew it inside out. But I was going to have to take his place as operations manager, running the entire site. I hadn’t done any management, my Polish wasn’t great, and I immediately had to start looking after 120 people. It was a huge responsibility and privilege, and 20 years later, I’m still here.
Paul Rawlings standing in front of the audience at company dinner in 2002
What excites you about your job?
The market in which kp operates is constantly changing, and consequently, we must change and adapt to the myriad new situations and opportunities that present themselves. There is never a dull moment!
It was also exciting to see the third generation of my family join kp. My eldest son, Jack, trained as a multi-skilled Operator at Featherstone, where I began my journey and where my dad worked for 37 years. Most people Jack’s age don’t want to work in factories, but as my career has shown, the possibilities are endless, and you can move to other areas of the business if that becomes your aim.
It was also exciting to see the third generation of my family join kp. My eldest son, Jack, trained as a multi-skilled Operator at Featherstone, where I began my journey and where my dad worked for 37 years. Most people Jack’s age don’t want to work in factories, but as my career has shown, the possibilities are endless, and you can move to other areas of the business if that becomes your aim.
Have you had to take on new challenges at kp?
Of the many experiences I’ve been lucky to have at kp, the building and commissioning of the factory in Bukowice has to be the most life-changing for me. It resulted in my moving to Poland, marrying my wife, buying a fantastic home, meeting great new people, and working in fantastic teams.
More recently, having taken on responsibility for product launches in the rigids and flexibles technologies in addition to my existing tray launch role, I’ve had to learn a lot of new information fast, and I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and work with many more fantastic kp colleagues in different areas of the business. For me, these opportunities are what keep my role exciting!
More recently, having taken on responsibility for product launches in the rigids and flexibles technologies in addition to my existing tray launch role, I’ve had to learn a lot of new information fast, and I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and work with many more fantastic kp colleagues in different areas of the business. For me, these opportunities are what keep my role exciting!
I’m also regularly amazed by kp’s new starters. I have the pleasure of teaching the tray product range introduction session as part of their onboarding and also act as a mentor to support the development of others. And I honestly feel I get so much back in terms of personal growth.
Have you been inspired by any of your colleagues?
I need to acknowledge the fantastic innovation teams, led by Ben Elkington, for their unwavering support and always allowing me my five minutes on the soap box when I am pitching my latest idea or concept. And as I said earlier, I learnt so much from Tomasz Leopold, who was a great colleague.
I’m also regularly amazed by kp’s new starters. I have the pleasure of teaching the tray product range introduction session as part of their onboarding and also act as a mentor to support the development of others. And I honestly feel I get so much back in terms of personal growth.
I’m also regularly amazed by kp’s new starters. I have the pleasure of teaching the tray product range introduction session as part of their onboarding and also act as a mentor to support the development of others. And I honestly feel I get so much back in terms of personal growth.
What’s next?
As packaging legislation becomes more focused on sustainability and deadlines get closer, I’m planning to ensure that our product portfolio fits perfectly with any changes mandated. I’m constantly watching developments in legislation (in many languages and countries - thank heavens for Google Translate) and making sure our product offering scores as high as possible in terms of sustainability, whilst delivering value for the customer and profitability for kp.
Celebrating 60 years of kp
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, I think it is worth remembering that when you look at the food packaging market, the majority of pack formats were either developed or pioneered by kp. These products all came from individual ideas and doodles that were trying to answer “what if” questions. I ask all the kp colleagues who are reading this kp & me to be bold - when you have an idea, submit it to the Innovation Greenhouse. You never know where that thought could take us!
And we should never forget; kp is an exciting business full of opportunities. When they come along, we should continue to grab them with both hands and hang on. We, as individuals; our customers and the company will be in a better place if we do.
And we should never forget; kp is an exciting business full of opportunities. When they come along, we should continue to grab them with both hands and hang on. We, as individuals; our customers and the company will be in a better place if we do.
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