Textiles, Leather and Paper

David Thompson

Industry Manager, Leather New Zealand

David Thompson is the Industry Manager for Leather in New Zealand. David holds an NZCS in Chemistry and BioChemistry and has over 26 years’ experience.

David is heavily involved in the leather industry supporting numerous customers in New Zealand and abroad with not only their selection of processing aids, but assisting in the development of new processes and refining the way leather is produced.

Recently David has been instrumental in the development of a process to significantly reduce the use of salt in the preservation of woolly sheep skins, thereby reducing the impact of salt on the environment downstream.

I enjoy the involvement with customers at all stages of the production of leather. In particular, developing new processes looking at reducing the environmental impact of the production of leather and leather products throughout their lifecycle.

David Thompson

Philip Dickey

Applications Laboratory Technician, Leather New Zealand

Philip Dickey is Applications Laboratory Technician for the Leather lab in New Zealand. Philip is NZLASRA certified and has over 40 years’ experience in the industry. His area of expertise is in leather colour matching, as well as textiles and surface coatings.

Philip is involved in the New Zealand leather industry, supporting both internal development at Azelis and numerous customers with technical support. He is also an integral part of the quality control team for the Azelis’ blending facility, looking particularly at colour matching and waste water testing.

As a professional colour matcher, I enjoy the satisfaction of resolving customer colour related issues, whether it be in the Textiles, Leather, Surface Coatings or related industries.

Philip Dickey

Andre Mihelcic

Development Manager, Leather and Coatings, Australia

Andre Mihelcic is Development Manager based in Melbourne. Andre has over 34 years’ experience and holds a BAppSc in Chemistry. Andre has particular experience in phenolic and acrylic based polymers (from synthesis to application), as well as lubricants and pigment dispersions, leather processing and colouration, and wax emulsions. He is a member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Andre has helped assemble and maintain development and technical applications labs, and organised an upgrade of a control system for a chemical reactor in the production facility. Andre has also developed high performance synthetic tanning polymers and lubricants for Leather, keeping the Azelis position in the market strong.

I find it very satisfying to take a concept from the sales & marketing department and develop it through from lab scale to plant scale and then see it in action at the customer.

Andre Mihelcic

Danielle Pepper

Applications Technician, Pulp & Paper and Textiles, Australia

Danielle Pepper is an Applications Technician based in Melbourne. Danielle has over 20 years’ experience and holds a BSc and a Certificate in Textile Technology. Danielle set up the laboratory colour matching computer system which has enabled us to have a strong position in the Australian market.

Danielle matched all the shades required for iconic Australian brand Akubra hats. All colourants are now supplied by Azelis and ongoing colour requirements are continually supported through Danielle’s application support.

I aim to maintain the highest standard of laboratory work possible to support the sales team and customers. l perform and continue to provide a prompt and reliable service.”

Danielle Pepper