Reducing Plastic Waste: The Patented Technology of SEE Forming
Scott explains that the thermal forming industry is not well known, but it involves the challenge of creating plastic packaging that is robust enough to withstand transit, while also being easy for consumers and nurses to open. SEE Forming has developed a patented technology that allows them to reduce plastic usage in these products by over 95%.
The Innovation Journey: From Fortune 200 to Co-Founding SEE Forming
Scott’s journey into the thermal forming industry was somewhat accidental. He was initially hired for a “stopgap” job at a Fortune 200 company but ended up staying in the industry for over 30 years, eventually co-founding SEE Forming with a former colleague he had lost touch with for 25 years.
The Diffusion of Innovation: Overcoming Resistance in the Thermal Forming Industry
The main challenge SEE Forming faces is educating the industry and getting their competitors to adopt their innovative, plastic-reducing technology. Scott explains that this is difficult because of the fear and resistance to change that exists in the industry. He has studied the “diffusion of innovation” theory, which outlines how new technologies are typically only embraced by a small percentage of “early adopters” at first.
Understanding Human Factors: Fear and Resistance in the Industry
Scott has had to learn to identify and work with these early adopters, while being patient with the majority of the industry who are more resistant to change due to their fear of failure or disruption to their established practices. He emphasizes the importance of not being afraid of failure yourself, as it is a crucial part of the innovation process.
The Future of SEE Forming: Scott Sadowski’s Vision for the Company
In terms of the day-to-day operations of SEE Forming, Scott focuses on the sales and customer-facing side, while his business partner handles the technical development. They have found that their collaborative “design review” process, where they constantly bounce ideas off each other, is a key factor in their success and ability to rapidly iterate on new product designs.
When asked about retirement, Scott says he has no plans to stop working on SEE Forming, as he finds great purpose and fulfillment in the work of reducing plastic waste. He is most proud of the personal growth he has experienced in overcoming his own fears and learning to better understand the fears and motivations of others in the industry.
Overall, the podcast provides a detailed look at the challenges and lessons learned by an entrepreneur working to innovate and disrupt an established industry, with a focus on the importance of understanding and addressing the human factors, like fear and resistance to change, that can make or break the adoption of new technologies.
Links:
https://seeformingllc.com/about/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sadowski-a8114580
Topics discussed:
1. The Innovation Journey: From Fortune 200 to Co-Founding SEE Forming
2. Reducing Plastic Waste: The Patented Technology of SEE Forming
3. The Diffusion of Innovation: Overcoming Resistance in the Thermal Forming Industry
4. The Power of Early Adopters: Driving Change in Plastic Packaging
5. Embracing Failure: The Key to Innovation in the Thermal Forming Industry
6. Collaboration and Iteration: The Design Review Process at SEE Forming
7. Finding Purpose in Reducing Plastic Waste: Scott Sadowski’s Story
8. Understanding Human Factors: Fear and Resistance in the Industry
9. Lessons Learned: Overcoming Fears and Motivations in Innovation
10. The Future of SEE Forming: Scott Sadowski’s Vision for the Company