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 over 15 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, the Formulated Products Division of Quadrant Chemical in November 2009 and the formulated resin business in Olean, NY formerly known as CONAP® from Solvay in June of 2017.

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 10 years shows the employees’ commitment to safety, 5S and continuous improvement. Additionally, in 2011 and 2018, new resin reactors were 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. 

Dr. Graham has also contributed to the growth in marketing efforts since her start with the company. With an increase in the number of technical brochures and intriguing marketing campaigns, the company has been distinguished as a leader in the industry. In 2011, the marketing team also started The Innovator – a newsletter for our customers that continues to this day. Graham encourages the company’s efforts to support the electrical and electronic industries through trade show participation and trade association involvement. Dr. Graham serves on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Board of Governors as well as the Board of Directors for The Transformer Association serving as board president in 2017 and 2018. 

With the influence of Dr. Graham, EPDG has strengthened its commitment to the company’s four guiding principles of Safety, Service, Quality and Innovation. EPDG has seen a significant reduction in the number of OSHA recordable incidents and a daily mindset towards a safe work environment for all employees. In 2019, EPDG is taking further action by starting a Behavior Based Safety Process. On-time shipments to customers have increased from approximately 60% to over 92%. In 2011, EIS, Essex Brownell, and Cummins recognized ELANTAS PDG, Inc. as Supplier of the Year for their efforts in 2010.  EPDG has been granted 6 new patents in the last few years, which are the first for the company in over a decade. The introduction of the ELAN-Film® flexible insulation is just one example of the Innovations at EPDG, and the team won the ALTANA Innovation Award in 2016 for this patented innovation.

Under Dr. Graham’s leadership, the company received the Saint Louis Business of the Year award in 2009, the only manufacturing company to be recognized that year. The St. Louis Dispatch recognized ELANTAS PDG, Inc. as a Top Workplace from 2013 through 2018. In 2012, Graham was named one of the St. Louis Businesswomen of the year. In 2016, IEEE presented Dr. Graham with the Golden Omega award to recognize her contributions to the electrical industry.

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 and electronic industries.