William St-Hilaire helped launch a line of thermoformed packages for Les Plastiques Tilton Inc. made from 100 percent post-consumer PET. So it's not surprising that he's interested in sustainability.
“Personally, I am always looking into making the world of plastics greener,” he said. “That's really one of the issues that drives me. At Tilton, we are always looking for new materials and components that will help us step up the game.”
Age: 25.
Education: Bachelor's in business administration-finance, Université Laval.
Tell us about your family. My mother and father are amazing. I actually work with them both on a weekly basis as they founded Tilton in 1985.
What was your first plastics job and why were you interested in the industry? This is my first job in plastics. Before, I had internships and jobs in the banking world. If it wasn't for Tilton, I would've probably started my own company. Of course, my parents being in the plastics industry helped me getting into it, it was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. The world of plastics is filled with new challenges and I wanted to be part of this upcoming movement.
Greatest achievement? Professionally, it's been opening new accounts and building long-lasting business relationships.
What is your current challenge at work? Consistently growing Tilton's business by bringing innovative packaging to the market. Also, changing consumers' ideas of plastics and educating them on what we do and why we do it.
What about the plastics industry surprises you? The complexity of making plastics sheets and the whole thermoforming process.
What is the best advice you've ever received? Be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods.
If you were CEO of a company what would you do first? I would start by having the best team possible and start working around creating our company's culture. Then give the team training and opportunities to achieve their personal and professional goals in a cooperative work environment.
Who is your mentor? My parents. They have taught me so much. As for a person I look up to, I would say Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia. I look up to him for many reasons, starting with the way he manages his company to the message he carries along.
What job do you really want to have in the future? Still working at Tilton, having more responsibilities in future years.
What do you do to relax? My girlfriend and I love the outdoors, so we try and escape on weekends to the mountains for skiing and lakes in the summer as much as we can.
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