From a young age, Glenn was destined to become an achiever.
He attended Glendowie College (1962-67) and was the best all round sportsman and so was nominated Sport’s Head Prefect.
From there he did one term at Auckland University (1968) before heading to San Diego State University in the United States in 1968 from where he graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
With new qualifications the workforce beckoned.
“I spent four years with A C Hatrick as technical salesman for polyesters and epoxies. I then joined Epiglass NZ Ltd in 1978 and eventually became Sales and Marketing Manager for the industrial paint division. In 1994 was appointed Industrial Division Manager with sales of close to $50 million when Epiglass was bought by Courtaulds,” Glenn said.
“In 1996 I returned to A C Hatricks and managed the composites business until in 1996 the business was absorbed by Nuplex. This meant I took on the role of export manager selling composites and paint resin systems.”
In 2004 Glenn left Nuplex and New Zealand to work for a private company in the United States called Norac, a specialist manufacturer of catalyst systems for the composites industry.
“I was in charge of sales for the western states and provinces of the United States and Canada, as well as New Zealand and Australia. In 2006 the role was expanded to Export Manager for Central and South America as well as Asia. It was in this period I became a world expert in catalysts used in the composites industry.”
He presented papers at composite conferences in New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, China, USA, Canada and Brazil on catalysts and curing resin systems.
He is also a life member of CANZ and a board member for the Western Chapter of the American Composites Manufacturing Association.
Now living in Half Moon Bay, Auckland, Glenn returned to New Zealand in 2010 working for Norac as well as contracting to Nuplex.
“In 2012, I relinquished my role with Norac and contracted full time until 2016. Since then I have sub-contracted to Nuplex until 2018 when I established Campbell Composites and Consulting,” Glenn said.
Elected to the top job at the Association’s annual meeting in September, Glenn brings to CANZ an impressive level of ongoing tertiary and industry training since graduating university in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
In his new role as President of CANZ, he aims to assist the industry to work closer with regulatory departments of government and help members to grow their businesses.
A “Badge of Honour” system to assure the public of industry integrity; a closer working relationship with international composites organisations, and the establishment of a “hands-on” training programme that can be used by members to train new staff, are just some of the ideas that new President Glenn Campbell would like to bring to CANZ.
“I would like to see CANZ develop an “APPROVED MEMBER OF CANZ BADGE OF HONOUR” to ensure the public is aware that they are dealing with a quality-minded supplier.
“I also see the need for us to be closer to organisations such as the ACMA (American Composites Manufacturing Association) as well as other composites associations in the world.
“We don’t need to reinvent the world.”
Glenn said the role of CANZ was widening and as an organisation was needed “now more than ever”.
“ Most manufacturers in the composites Industry are not in a position to gather the correct information that they need to abide by and even just keep up with the latest in legislation. CANZ can act as the conduit for its members by offering seminars or training nights for the members to attend and keep up with the latest.”
What is CANZ’s most pressing issue?
“To increase the membership to allow us to afford the necessary training programmes.”