How Lummus Technology is Applying Startup Energy to a Legacy Business with Leon de Bruyn - Ep 126

Now an independent company, Lummus Technology has become a leading technology developer for new capacity expansion investments in the industry. Their expertise, reputation, and skilled team are applying startup energy to excel independently and drive innovation. Leon De Bruyn, President and CEO of Lummus, an expert in the technology and chemicals, has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Lummus. Leon explores the remarkable transformation of Lummus, a more than one hundred-year-old startup in startup mode. 

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer welcomes Leon to share his wealth of knowledge and experience as he uncovers the secrets behind Lummus' remarkable evolution. Leon shares his leadership strengths and abilities and sheds light on Lummus' emphasis on portfolio expansion, growth, and incorporating new technology innovators. Exploring their focus on providing expertise throughout the value chain and their investment in innovative technologies, Leon shares Lummus’ interest in energy transition and market growth. 

Learn more about the following topics this week:

• Challenges and opportunities of creating a new standalone company on the shoulders of an old company
• Shifting mindsets: From engineering hours to customer value and technology
• Instilling a new culture to drive growth and innovation
• The role of digitization in Lummus' business 
• Building a technology portfolio for the future

Victoria and Leon discuss Lummus’ accomplishments, its plans for the future, and the importance of leadership in navigating challenges, all while maintaining a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Join us as we uncover Lummus' fascinating story and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving chemical industry.

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01:31 Leon de Bruyn’s origin story

2:40 100 year-old technology company in startup mode

4:42 Challenges and opportunities in carving out a technology business

8:39 How Lummus has become more customer-centric

15:34 Redefining company culture to support new business structure and strategy

18:20 The role of digitization in enabling Net Zero carbon goals

24:02 Aligning values and goals to create a successful partnership

26:15 Future portfolio growth opportunities for Lummus Technology