DR. SUSAN W. GRAHAM

Since her start at ELANTAS PDG, Inc. (EPDG), Dr. Susan Graham has focused on the company’s development and new opportunities.  For 8 years, she has been guiding the EPDG management team and the company to become a World Class specialty chemical manufacturer.  Under her direction, EPDG acquired certain assets of Ranbar Electrical Insulation in January 2004 and the Formulated Products Division of Quadrant Chemical in November 2009.

EPDG’s development has not just been limited to acquisitions, but to a firm commitment to capital investment, as evidenced by the construction of a new blending building, which opened in September 2008, moving the company into the 21st century.  The maintenance of the building for the past 3 years shows the employee’s commitment to safety and 5S.  Additionally, in 2011, a new resin reactor was installed.  Since 2004 EPDG also has installed new emulsion and blending tanks, testing equipment, as well as improved the ability to rack and store materials.

The marketing efforts of the company have grown since Graham’s start with the company.  The number of technical brochures has increased in the last few years.  Additionally, the intriguing mountain climber (2010) and frog ads (2011) have distinguished the company as a leader in the industry.  Dr. Graham encourages the company’s efforts to support the electrical and electronic industries through trade show participation and trade association involvement.

With the influence of Dr. Graham, EPDG has strengthened its commitment to the company’s four guiding principles of Safety, Service, Quality and Innovation.  The Safety aspect has improved through a significant reduction in the number of OSHA recordable incidents and a daily mindset towards a safe work environment for all employees.  Looking at Service, the on-time shipments to customers have increased from approximately 60% to over 92%.  The Quality of the company products and services has improved as well.    In 2011, EPDG was recognized as Supplier of the Year by EIS, Essex Brownell, and Cummins for their efforts in 2010.  The Innovation of the company has also expanded; EPDG has been granted 4 new patents in the last few years, which are the first for the company in over a decade.

Under Dr. Graham’s leadership the company received the Saint Louis Business of the Year award in 2009, where it was the only manufacturing company recognized that year.  Additionally, Ameren rebated the company for several capital investments made to improve the efficiency of the company’s use of natural gas. 

Dr. Graham serves on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Board of Governors as well as being a member of the St. Louis Regional Business Council.  In 2008, Dr. Graham was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Before her time at ELANTAS PDG, Dr. Graham was the New Business Development Director for Adhesives and Sealants at Rohm and Haas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Graham received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry and she has held positions in Sales, Marketing, and General Management in the Chemical industry, both in North America and globally.

ELANTAS PDG, Inc., founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1919 is a premier global supplier of specialty polymers for application in the electrical and electronic industries. ELANTAS PDG, INC. now offers the broadest product portfolio for application needs in the electrical insulation industry.