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FIS: 2024 has been another busy and interesting year for FIS. What three words would you use to describe it?

Kenny: Sustainable. Agile. Reliable.

We've made great strides on our sustainability and environmental journey; we've responded well to challenges and opportunities; and, crucially, we've continued to deliver Smarter Chemistry for our valued customers.

FIS: FIS established manufacturing capability in North America and Middle East this year — how important has this been to the international growth of the business?

KW: It's been a very exciting development in terms of our ability to support customers across the globe.

FIS Inc. began manufacturing in the Houston area in late 2023 — enabling us to react quickly to our customers' needs and slash lead times, whilst reducing their inventory costs. Being close to our customers' end market has also resulted in the elimination of CO2e emissions from shipping the final product from UK to USA and bulk collections has removed all packaging and waste.

We hope to use the US manufacturing to add additional customers, regions (LATAM, Canada) and expand our product offering. The success of FIS Inc. has increased our confidence and appetite to establish additional international manufacturing facilities.

FIS: What qualities do you think are most important when growing a business in global markets?

KW: In everything we do, FIS must ensure the quality, performance and environmental profile of our products are maintained — this is vital for both our reputation and the success of our customers' operations.

Before investment, market/region knowledge and understanding the potential customer base are hugely important. When preparing to establish manufacturing in North America, we visited and spoke to an array of contacts, customers and potential manufactures and suppliers in the region to ensure we chose the right location and found a partner we can really trust.

Combined with a well-planned FIS sales presence and marketing strategy, this forms the fundamentals of growing in global markets like these.

Venturing into new markets always carries an element of risk, but we can’t let fear impede our growth. We must have optimism, confidence and good old-fashioned hard work at every stage to ensure success.

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"This growth has underpinned by the efforts of every member of the FIS team, and I am very grateful for and proud of them. Achieving year-on-year growth is a tough ask — and achieving this has come down to the attitude, desire and hard graft of the team."

FIS: What are you most proud of this year?

KW: FIS Chemicals achieved notable growth in 2024 by focusing on market diversification and geographical expansion. The company successfully entered new international markets such as the US, Australia and Norway, as well as emerging economies such as Guyana, where there is a rising demand for sustainable and innovative chemical solutions. This has been a hugely satisfying development.

The increase in production capacity at FIS Inc. has significantly boosted the company’s revenue streams. This growth is underpinned by the efforts of every member of the FIS team, and I am very grateful for and proud of them. Achieving year-on-year growth is a tough ask — and achieving this has come down to the attitude, desire and hard graft of the team.

I'm also very proud that, through a targeted acquisition, we've become the sole manufacturer of Blue Steel Primer (also known as Navy Steel Rust Converter). Additionally, we have established a strategic partnership with Quaker Houghton, whose complementary product lines enable us to achieve greater market share and expand our product portfolio.

As I touched upon before, I take huge pride in the work, ideas and culture of our team, especially when it comes to safety (no LTI, accidents or spills at FIS HQ in 2024) and developing for the future through R&D, sales, supply chain and environmental progress. We've reduced CO2 emissions and waste year-on-year.



FIS: How was the end-of-year festive break?

KW: Uneventful and happy about it! I enjoyed relaxing with family, watching football and feasting on lots of food and drink — a great way to recharge for 2025!

FIS: Looking ahead to 2025, what are the key objectives for the FIS Chemicals team?

KW:We have big plans and aspirations for the year ahead, and the start of the year has been suitably busy!

First and foremost, maintaining our QHSE objectives and keeping everyone safe, healthy and happy in 2025 are crucial aims for FIS Chemicals as a business. This leads everything we want to do.

Of course, growth will be important this year too — with our Middle Eastern manufacturing capability developing well, seeking potential opportunities to support customers in East Asia and West Africa, and strengthening our customer bases in the Marine and Industrial sectors. As ever, we're always exploring partnerships and possible acquisitions — if there's a chance to do better, grow well and work with great people, we are interested.

Personally speaking, I want 2025 to be a year of hard work, continuous learning, staying curious and relentless ambition — as well as finding more time to play golf!

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