The People Behind Formpak
Time to meet them
Tim SchneiderCTO & Co-Founder
Being Managing Director and Co-Founder, much of my time is focussed on analysing the business problems of our customers, devising what I hope are really neat solutions for them, and ensuring that they are delivered. In the speciality chemicals sector, with its complex web of legislation, regulation and customer requirements, this can be really complex.
In 1982, my dad, Ron, had an Apple computer dealership in Winchester, and I was in there during my school holidays. A perfumer came in, wanting to record his formulations on a computer. We looked at using VisiCalc - the first spreadsheet for any personal computer - which seemed initially appealing, but soon realised that would not enable the kind of reporting that was obviously needed. So, I volunteered to write a computer program to do this - and thus, several weeks later, Formpak was born. Formpak has been with me ever since.
Around me, I am fortunate to have a wonderful team that are absolutely essential to this endeavour. Working together with such a fantastic team who enable Formpak to continue to grow, both in terms of what the software does, and how many companies and people can benefit from it.
Your favourite thing about Formpak Software?
In spite of having been guiding Formpak through its entire existence, its ability to sometimes surprise me in what it can do, when I come across a feature which I had forgotten.
Professional organisations and memberships
When the world is back to normal, I am very much looking forward to being able to meet our customers again at the various industry organisations of which we are members, like IFRA UK, UKFA, BEOA, etc.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
A human duplicator, so that a replica of myself could be produced, and thus we could together get more work done. However, I think it's likely that myself and my replica would drive each crazy, so maybe that's not such a great idea.
Penny WilliamsCEO
As a Director at Formpak I get involved in everything from helping to solve customer problems, to reviewing the way the software behaves and writing specifications for improvements and changes. I am also constantly looking at ways of improving the business process including working on training content and monitoring external changes such as regulation, that might impact on our customers.
I spent 17 years at the international fragrance house, Belmay, where I grew with the company, and had a variety of technical and creative positions, latterly Chief Perfumer. Formpak was the software we used for creation and regulatory management. When I left to start my own consulting business in 2006 naturally Formpak was the first company I approached to see how I could help, joining as a consultant in 2007 and later became a Director.
What I really love is finding solutions and making people's lives easier as a result and because of my industry experience I really understand the different that can make.
Your favourite thing about Formpak Software?
I love how flexible and joined up the software is. You put a little bit of information in, you get much more information out.
Professional organisations and memberships
I'm a full member of the British Society of Perfumers, member of SIPC-the International Society for Perfumer Creators, Deputy Chairperson on the IFRA UK Technical Advisory Group, Chairperson of the IFRA UK group 'Changing Lives Through Fragrance', a member of the IFRA IOFI GHS Taskforce and consultant to IFRA and IOFI on the NCS taskforce, regarding natural complex substances. I also write for ICATS, who provide training for the aroma trades globally.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
A 'time-turner' watch, similar to Hermione's in Harry Potter would be great so I could be in two places at the same time and fit even more into my days! Being more benevolent, it would be great to have cost effective technologies which enabled enough food to be grown in the right places, so no one went hungry.
Richard OsborneSales & Marketing Manager
I get involved in sales demonstrations for new customers and I also play a big role in wider communications about the company. This includes managing the website and support centre as well as providing support to customers. I love the support side of things as I enjoy finding solutions to help new and existing customers.
I joined Formpak in April 2014, bringing with me a strong customer service background which I use to help with our sales approach. I also get to use my creative side to manage and design the website and support content.
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
It has many flexible solutions to help companies from different industries and of different sizes.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
Lightsaber kitchen knives. Cuts and cooks at the same time!
Victoria CooneyProject Manager
My role is very varied and ranges from helping customers manage changes from data input to integrations with other software. This is often focused on helping customers find the best solution to their problems which is something I really enjoy.
I started at Formpak in March 2017 and I was looking for a company where I could use my project management skills to help make a difference.
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
The software is so flexible. Customers have the ability to customise so much of it for their own requirements and it is constantly evolving.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
A way to be able to temporarily clone yourself to get more done in a day
Tom GeorgeTechnical Manager
As a Technical Manager at Formpak, I oversee the technology and development aspects of our software. My role involves reviewing the performance of current technologies and recommending improvements, as well as benchmarking costs and productivity levels, and managing the enterprise architecture of our application. This includes research, planning and implementating projects to further levels.
Being a technical manager, I can't expect any two days to play out identically and often have difficulty carving out enough time to do the learning, analysing, documenting, and strategic thinking to make decisions about the development activities and future roadmap. Much of my days are made of planning on future roadmaps.
I think I'm usually the over-excited guy about new technology or new features for our customers. On a more serious note, in my career, I've always been lauded as a take-charge guy with a positive attitude.
Looking back, I've always had a knack for both product and technology domains. I have worked in the development and product domain. After working for a few years, I completed a Master's in Enterprise Management System at Birmingham University. After graduation, I wanted to join a company where I could apply all my learning and experience and could make an impact and be fearless.
This is very true at Formpak. I started with Formpak March 2022 soon after my post-graduation. Formpak offers me an environment where I can thrive, be in the midst of where things happen and disrupt the big corporates trying to do the same.
Your favourite thing about Formpak Software?
It is impressive how Formpak software can perform complex calculations and processes to ensure its customer have an expertise solution to run their business in an efficient way. It keeps evolving with more customer requirements.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
Having a technology that would allow me to master any skills, as in the Matrix films, would be cool.
David BullRegulatory Manager
What this means in reality is I have to keep abreast of and understand many different legislative documents from all around the world. This helps ensure our software is always up to date, reflecting any regulatory changes that might impact on our clients.
I have been with Formpak since 2019 but I have been a user of the software for over 25 years, so I also get very involved in supporting and training our customers. Direct experience of the software and insight into the fragrance and flavour industries from a variety of other roles, helps me better understand our customers and their needs.
I never really knew what I wanted to do, but I fell into fragrances and flavours via a temp job many years ago from an agency specialising in scientific lab posts. After moving round several departments, a certain Penny Williams offered me a full-time post in her Quality Control/Analytical lab. 25 years later, here I am still in the industry.
Your favourite thing about Formpak Software?
I love its simplicity and its complexity - you can learn the basics in a few hours due to its intuitive design, but it is also capable of astoundingly complicated calculations for the more experienced user.
Professional organisations and memberships
I have been an active member of IFRA and UK Flavour Association's Technical committees for many years and that has continued since joining Formpak.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
A bit boring maybe, but I'd love to see some kind of magic carbon gobbling machine to halt climate change. If it could convert carbon to beer, so much the better!
Akash BennyProduct Manager
Typically, I manage creation, review, analysis, and validation of documentation on the data side. Support Data and Integration Engineer in development as requested according to the customer requirements and business needs. Solve day to day data-related challenges, escalating complex and time critical concerns to ensure timely resolutions. Collaborate with Business Analyst on requirements analysis internally and with clients.
My main purpose is to design a Business Intelligence strategy for the application and our internal systems, on visualisation and reporting. Continuously improving data handling process to remove manual steps and streamline working practices.
I began my journey with Formpak from May 2022 just after I graduated from my university.
I had around 3 years of experience in IT field before I decided to pursue my master's in data Analytics at Aston University, Birmingham. Soon after my graduation, I wanted to get into a company where I had the flexibility to use all my skills and experience gained that could create a significant impact on the growth of the company.
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
Without a benefit of doubt, I would say the very idea of how the Formpak software is designed to handle complex information and its flexibility to integrate with various industries is what fascinates me.
I am privileged to be a part of this wonderful and dynamic set of people at Formpak and interacting with them is what I enjoy the most along with the new technical developments that are due for implementation.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
A time watch that could go back and that could freeze the time if needed. I would like to re-live few moments in life.
Cheryl GarrattTraining & Support Manager
My role is brand new and involves supporting customers in their day to day use of Formpak, by providing training and guidance. Via screen sharing, and by creating training support materials, such as manuals, videos, and hopefully soon training days in person so we get to meet all our lovely customers.
I joined the Formpak Team in March 2022, however I have been using the software for over five years. I have previously worked at a large flavour, fragrance and essential oils creator and distributer as a regulatory advisor where my role was very varied. I think my experience within the industry is critical to this role as I better understand customer requirements.
Your favourite thing about Formpak Software?
It makes the most complicated and time consuming of tasks and calculations super easy, documents and reports are generated in seconds.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
Telepathic spreadsheets that would involve thinking about what you need completing and the information would appear.
Connor WilliamsJunior Developer
On a day-to-day basis I am coding documents and labels for customers, testing documents, data manipulation and processing and testing the software to make sure it is working well. I love helping to provide customers with new features such as the labelling manual and new things that can be done with documents.
I joined Formpak in December 2018 and I had always wanted to get into coding and data based work and I jumped at the opportunity to join the company when it arose. I have a good ability to learn new coding languages and enjoy putting that into practice.
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
The flexibility of Formpak to work with many different industries and within in that the ability to expand the boundaries of what it can do.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
The next generation of computing, like quantum.
Rachel EssigTechnical Support and Implementation Lead
No two days are the same at Formpak which is what I love about it. I get involved in new customer implementations, system updates, data updates and supporting our customers.
I have been at Formpak since May 2019 and I joined after working in the same company for 19 years, with many years of service desk experience. Joining Formpak felt like the right fit from the beginning, I was immediately welcomed into the team.
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
The time it saves our customers with their regulatory needs.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
A self-ironing ironing board!
Tapas Kumar LenkaData & Integration Engineer
As a Data and Integration Engineer I would be driving the Formpak data side and related integration to and from Formpak system. It would involve integration requirement analysis, data analysis, solution designing, deployment of solution and debugging.
My role in Formpak includes coordinating with business analysts and team to understand the requirement, designing integration interface, development of integration interfaces, providing solution for data integration related problemsand working on the proof of concept on new requirements.
I believe that my integrity and strong determination towards problem solving is something might help in future. Having a strong background in data integration, engineering, analytical reporting and across the various industries such as banking, retail, consumer product groups, and home lending might also help to achieve the vision of Formpak. Have the necessary skills and a constant zeal of learning about data world may come handy for Formpak data transformation journey.
I have 9 years of total IT experience with extensive exposure into data integration, warehousing, analytical reporting, relation databases and many others relevant for the industry experiences such as banking, retail and consumer product groups. However, there was always a deep interest inside to come out of the comfort areas and do something extra ordinary in me. This has brought me into Formpak in July 2022. I strongly believe that Formpak has the out of the box solution that might transform my journey into my dream. Being a member a Formpak family makes me extremely grateful as it gives a homely atmosphere all the time. Also, the core expertise of the Formpak is a new thing for me as it sounds cool that it can help to solve multidimensional problems of various industries at the same time
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
Though I am new to the Formpak system however its solid core functionality in product life cycle management is simply outstanding.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
I would like to see Formpak software to be transformed into IAAS, PAAS and SAAS in near future. Hence below technologies/tools can be useful I believe to see in Formpak such as Formpak Mobile Application (Android/iOS), Snowflake and AI/ML.
Sarah ByrneTechnical Data Administrator
My role involves working with our users helping them to customise documents and label requirements, including creating notes for specific documents. I also create mock-ups and measure labels, get involved in regulatory discussions and testing documents to ensure they are doing what they need to do for our customers.
I have been with Formpak since January 2018 and what I really like about the job is translating the technical requirements for customers when we collaborate over documents and helping support them in what might be a stressful situation.
I was always interested in IT, from the minute we got a ZX Spectrum at home I was hooked! In each job I've always made it a point to see how far I can stretch the software to get the most out of it. From management accounts, I retrained as a teaching assistant and also an IT technician for school. When I was ready for a new challenge, I was lucky enough that everyone at Formpak saw through my nervousness and welcomed me in!
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
I love the way it is constantly changing as customer requirements change.
What technology would you like to see in the future?
Teleportation since I don't drive!
Suresh GottigundalaBusiness Analyst
As Business Analyst my responsibilities include understanding the requirements from discovery phase. Then analysing, and preparing necessary documentation such as stories and diagrams, to ensure the development team is progressing and delivered on time. Tracking all requirements and timelines. Since is joined Formpak in May 2022 I have been given the opportunity to be part of a good team. Every day is a new lesson, and there is still lots more to learn.
Your favourite thing about the Formpak Software?
It suitable for businesses of all sizes in the formulation and ingredient sectors.
