A Celebration of Expertise, Dedication and Career Success
In today’s fast-paced world, the only constant is change. Now, more than ever, the value of longevity within a company cannot be overstated. Long-standing employees bring a wealth of experience, deep-rooted knowledge, and a sense of stability that is invaluable to any organisation.
While the retirement of distinguished and dedicated employees often elicits bittersweet sentiments amongst all those who have had the privilege of working and learning from them, celebrating these individuals as they retire helps honour years of service, while underscoring the importance of commitment, loyalty and expertise in building a successful business.
Recently, we had the pleasure of connecting with Scott Yudkin, Sr. Applications Engineer, who is an example of a remarkable employee. Our conversation with Scott helped shed light on his journey, growth and the experiences he had in his 41-year long career.
It has been a great honour and pleasure working with Scott over the many years we have both been in the business. I remember well the early years in New Haven, and I can honestly say that we would not have been successful in moving our Silicone business to Hoosick Falls, New York without Scott’s significant efforts. I know that our customers’ inherent trust and confidence in him are what made the New Haven project, as well as so many other projects Scott has worked on over the years, successful. I offer my personal thanks to Scott for being an integral part of the Tape Solutions Team. Congratulations and all the best in retirement."
Phil Guy, General Manager, Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions
Q&A with Scott Yudkin
Scott, please share your story with us and tell us about yourself.
At present, I am an applications engineer, primarily focused on the Norseal Silicone range as well as some thermal products. I’ve had a fantastic career with Saint-Gobain. Straight after university, I worked as a Quality Manager for New England Tubular Rivet Company. Following this, I joined Saint-Gobain as a quality floor inspector. I later moved into technical services and then into marketing. During that stage of my career, I had an excellent mentor, Bill Noonan, who encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree to further advance my career. This enabled me to work in product management, sales, and ultimately applications engineering.
What has made working at Saint-Gobain exciting for you?
Honestly, my career has been a blessing because I’m fortunate enough to be paid to do what I love — helping customers work on solutions, creating new products, and expanding our product range. I have endless opportunities to learn something new.
One of the most exciting aspects of working at Saint-Gobain is the chance to be involved in a wide variety of products and applications. It’s not a typical desk job — I’m never confined to an office or cubicle. Instead, I get to experience and do different things daily, such as seeing materials for space lunar modules being assembled to create bespoke solutions for various industries. This variety keeps things fresh and engaging, almost like being part of a TV programme where you learn by actively engaging with customers.
From your perspective, how is new product development approached at Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions?
At Tape Solutions, our teams excel at understanding and meeting specific customer needs, whether through standard products or bespoke solutions. We begin by sitting down with customers to ask the right questions, aiming to understand their true requirements. If we have a standard product that fits — brilliant! In cases where we don’t, we have a robust process for new product development.
Our silicone product range is a great example of this process. If we look back 30 years, we didn’t offer silicone foams, whereas today, we have an entire portfolio dedicated to silicone solutions, and I anticipate this might expand even further in the next 5–10 years. Our focus is on creating products with varying densities and compression-deflection characteristics to meet diverse consumer needs. This allows us to carry out lab work, conduct testing, and have meaningful, solutions-focused conversations with our customers.
Can you share examples of how customer requests have driven innovation?
Customer feedback is crucial to innovation! For example, we started with a standard silicone sponge product that was only available in one colour: orange. Over time, customers from various industries, such as aircraft manufacturing, requested different colours to suit specific applications. We adapted our products accordingly and created grey-coloured sponges to match dashboard panels and black ones for use within the cockpit. In another instance, a customer producing decal printing machines wanted their machines to be a specific shade of blue for an anniversary launch. We developed a new product colour, nicknamed “Smurf™ blue,” to match their exact requirements. Similarly, for a customer manufacturing surgical blankets, we created a “Yellow Submarine™” shade. These types of customisations demonstrate how we listen to customers and adapt our products to meet their unique needs.
In general, customers influence both product specifications and the development process. While we aim to provide off-the-shelf solutions, some customer applications require us to go beyond standard offerings. For instance, a customer may need a thickness that falls between standard options. In such cases, we work closely with them to develop a custom thickness and adjust specifications.
What do you enjoy most about the collaborative process at Saint-Gobain?
It’s incredibly rewarding. It’s not just the effort of one person; it’s a team endeavour involving plant managers, product managers, application engineers, process engineers, and district sales managers. Each of these roles plays a vital part in the process, from concept to delivery. For example, district sales managers often have the most direct contact with customers, so they always bring valuable insights to the table.
Collaboration enables us to solve problems effectively, whether it’s a simple adjustment to an existing product or developing something entirely new to meet specific requirements. We work together to find creative solutions, and I take pride in our team’s ability to innovate and adapt to meet our customers’ needs.
How has your background with both tapes and silicones helped in new product development and customer interactions?
Having a diverse background is invaluable. It allows me to better understand the full spectrum of customer needs and how different materials can be applied. For example, one of our best-selling products is SNS, which combines the benefits of silicone with various adhesives to create instant gasketing solutions. This requires a deep understanding of both silicones and adhesive technologies. It’s been an enjoyable journey, and I’ve loved every moment of it.
What is your take on the recent developments in silicone products, particularly with the EV market?
As I mentioned earlier, if we look back 30 years, we didn’t offer a silicone foam product. Now, products like Norseal F-15 are gaining significant traction, particularly in the EV market, which is constantly evolving. Our products must evolve alongside the EV market, and we’ve developed new materials like our TRP (Thermal Runaway Protection) based on customer needs.
One of the major advantages of our silicone products is their flame retardancy and low outgassing properties. Silicones also have a wide temperature range — typically from -73°C to +266°C (-100°F to +500°F). They’re incredibly durable and often outlast the machines they’re used with, which is why they’re highly valued in the automotive and aerospace industries.
As you approach retirement, could you share some final thoughts about your career at Saint-Gobain?
It has undoubtedly been a fantastic 41 years! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the amazing people I’ve worked with and gotten to know on a personal level. My time here has been more than just a job; it’s been a home away from home — a place where I could truly make a difference. Now, as I step into retirement, I hope to maintain the connection. I’m only a phone call or email away, and I’d like to continue supporting newer employees in any way I can.
Scott’s wealth of knowledge, expertise, and professionalism have been invaluable to both customers and colleagues alike for the past 22 years that I have known him. His collaborative style, combined with a warm and approachable 'can do' attitude, has made him a trusted partner and mentor, helping to develop applications, people, and lasting relationships throughout our organisation and with customers and business partners. I will miss Scott’s wisdom and rapport, although we are all excited for him to enjoy years of new adventures ahead."
Bryan Harrison, NA Applications & Technical Services Manager, Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions
Honouring the Legacy
As we bid farewell to Scott, we shall never forget the profound impact of his 41-year career. He has influenced our company culture and supported learning, development, growth, and camaraderie every step of the way. The dedication, expertise, and commitment that Scott has provided serve as a foundation and example upon which future generations can build. Celebrating Scott’s retirement is not merely about honouring his past contributions, but also about recognising the lasting legacy he leaves behind.
At Tape Solutions, our teams are grateful for his years of hard work and passion and wish him a happy and fulfilling retirement.
Scott, your contributions have been immeasurable, and you will always remain a valued member of the Tape Solutions family.
