We had a chance this month to catch up with surface finishing account manager Jim Jordan. Jim holds a chemical engineering degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and enjoys helping customers improve their process control methods. Take a moment to get to know Jim!
What is your role at Seacole?
I’m an Account Manager in the Surface Finishing group. I support customers in southern Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska, with a few exceptions.
What surface finishing industry trends are you seeing this year?
Every year, we see an increase in the use of green industry practices, and 2017 is no different. Beyond the usual goals of reducing or eliminating the use of toxic and hazardous chemistries, there is more and more interest in chemistries that require fewer bath change-outs, generate less waste, and consume less energy – with no compromise in performance, of course. And RoHS compliance is still a driving force in many of the industries we support.
What advice would you give people in your field?
I encourage my customers to continually focus on and improve their process control methods. So many quality problems are the result of excessive process variation, and this can be avoided by implementing (and following) process control procedures designed to maintain key chemical parameters within the recommended specifications.
What is your favorite Seacole product?
It’s not easy to pick a single favorite product in the Seacole Surface Finishing portfolio, but I’m a big fan of Surtec 668 Trivalent Blue Chromate Conversion Coating for zinc. This newer product offering is having a lot of success in the marketplace right now because it provides our customers with all of the features and benefits they are looking for – excellent corrosion resistance, an intense blue color, a wide process window, and low operating cost.
What is the first thing you do when you get to work?
I start my day with a quick review of my to-do list, assessing my priorities and goals, and finalizing any items in my schedule that are still not nailed down.
Do you have a secret to staying productive?
Something I learned years ago was to follow the 2-Minute Rule: If a task will take less than 2 minutes to complete, do it right away. Also, I always keep a notepad handy for spontaneously writing down new tasks and ideas, and for remembering unfinished tasks that I can revisit later when less busy.
Before starting your career, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
When I was in 9th or 10th grade I had a job playing “honky-tonk” piano at a local Shakey’s Pizza Parlor on weekend evenings. Thinking back on it, I’m sure I annoyed an awful lot of pizza-eating patrons.
What might someone be surprised to learn about Seacole?
A lot of people would be surprised by the scope of Seacole’s product development and manufacturing capabilities (both staff and facilities) and the fact we’re much more than just a sales office/warehouse.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Well, family and friends are a given, so beyond that it would be coffee (I drink it morning, noon, and night), spicy food (the hotter the better), and my car (both out of need and enjoyment; no self-driving cars for me!).
Jim’s Motto:
Only I am in charge of my destiny.
