Sesotec, established in Germany in 1976, has grown into a recognised specialist in its sector, with subsidiaries and branches around the globe. The company has thousands of contaminant detection and sorting systems installed around the world, making it one of the leading manufacturers and the only one to offer a broad and flexible range of products.
Chris Bowman, President of Sesotec Canada, describes the core business: “Sesotec is a global manufacturer of contamination detection and removal equipment; metal detection, X-rays and optical sorting systems. While globally Sesotec focuses on three principal industries – food, plastics and recycling – here in Canada, our primary focus is on the food and plastics markets.”
He explains that the Sesotec brand has been operating in Canada for over 15 years, with the support of its US sister company, but as an independent business identity, Sesotec Canada was incorporated only in 2015. “At the beginning of 2019, just before the world was thrown into the global pandemic, we started to spread our wings and became more self-sustained. Over the next two and a half years, we persevered and came out ready to take off.”
“2022 saw many great challenges and significant changes within Sesotec. We launched a new ERP system, had many new hires, and changed Presidents. While all this was going on, we continued to be a top tier/preferred supplier to many of the largest food processors in Canada.”
Rising collectively
He himself assumed the role of the President of Sesotec Canada just under a year ago. An experienced business leader professional, he highlights the importance of partnership for business growth.
“I believe that true partnerships need to be formed with an understanding based on a Win-Win or Lose-Lose dynamic. Losing together gives both partners an opportunity to come together and learn, growing for the next opportunity. Winning is always more fun when you can celebrate it with your partner and those around you. However, if one wins and the other loses, there is an unfairness, and the balance in a partnership can be lost.”
This approach may also be applied to one of the challenges that all companies are facing – attracting and maintaining a high-calibre team. “One of my previous colleagues and mentors used to say, ‘Water seeks its own level’. This most definitely applies to recruitment and retention. I later found that the quote had a second part, ‘… and water rises collectively’.”
“Sesotec Canada is coming out of its infancy, we are building something special here in Canada, and are well positioned for significant growth. We want and need special people to turn this into reality. By seeking out those whose water level is highest, our water rises collectively. We are able to learn from each other and grow with each other.”
He further reflects that this is a very exciting time to #Come2Sesotec, a hashtag that has been promoted at both the K-Show and Interpack, two of the largest world industry tradeshows. “We are bringing in the right people, supporting them and giving them the opportunity to learn and grow as the company continues to build and move forward toward continued success. It is the Sesotec DNA!”
Helping clients achieve sustainability goals.
Sesotec invests heavily in R&D to bring solutions that enhance its customers’ safety and sustainability. Mr Bowman points out that the recently launched Artificial Intelligence Solution (THiNK), new software for metal detectors, along with Integrated Compliance Monitoring (ICM), innovative software for seamless and efficient documentation, have been a game changer for the food industry, where conventional metal detectors have reached their limits. The result is not only increased safety but also less waste, hence higher profitability.
While Sesotec has focused on minimizing waste and ensuring its factories are ‘green’, sustainability responsibilities to the customer remain a core focus. “At Sesotec, each and every one of us is passionate about making progress for the benefit of ourselves, our customers, our partners, our society, and our planet. We are active worldwide in pursuit of our mission to help our customers improve the sustainability and profitability of their processes.”
In the food Industry, sustainability is supported, for example, with Sesotec’s Integrated Compliance Monitoring system mentioned earlier. “The use of ICM can allow a food processor to reduce the frequency of audits in their process, which lowers the amount of waste and decreases the amount of labour time spent.”
In the world of plastics, Sesotec offers technology to help plastic processors to recover raw materials and increase their usage of recyclates in the manufacture of new products. “With the right process technology, plastics processors can purchase and process lower-quality and lower-cost recycled materials without risk, without machine damage and quality defects in their final product. This helps to ‘close the loop’ in the circular economy of plastics.”
Dedicated to succeeding.
Since its incorporation, Sesotec Canada has been growing rapidly, and Chris looks forward to building on the solid foundation that has been laid. New partnerships have been established and its new premises in Guelph, Ontario is being expanded. “We will be moving forward in Q4 with the construction of a new showroom and testing facility. This will house the latest in technology available from Sesotec for both the food and plastics industries, giving customers the ability to come and experience Sesotec first-hand.”
This will, no doubt, promote further growth. “We have the right people, we have the passion, we have our eyes on the goal. We will continue to grow and support both the food and plastics markets with solutions that make sense. As we continue on our path of success, more people will join… employees, partners, and customers,” he says, reflecting that success is not an accident, but comes from dedicated work, positive energy, and an ability to believe. Sesotec Canada has all three.
