Glynn Fontenot, Methanex
Serving as the plant manager at Methanex’s Geismar methanol facility, Glynn Fontenot feels proud of the work everyone within the Methanex organization has done to successfully start up two plants in one calendar year. The first plant began operations in January 2015, and the second one commenced production in December 2015, three months ahead of schedule.
“Execution of this project by our Methanex Project Team was a tremendous undertaking,” said Fontenot. “The biggest challenge we faced was hiring 160 people in a relatively short time frame and getting them all trained and ready to safely start not one but two methanol plants in just 11 months. I couldn’t be more pleased with the team we’ve assembled and the commitment and dedication they showed by safely starting two plants in one year.”
Fontenot said the support of Methanex Corp., the largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets, was key to the successful plant start-ups.
“Methanex focuses on working as One Team, and that was highly visible through our two plant start-ups,” stated Fontenot, who has been with the company for a little more than three years. “We had support from experienced operators from all our sites, with some staying here for months to ensure we had a successful, safe start-up.”
What’s ahead
Fontenot aims to achieve his three overarching goals for the site: no recordable injuries, no process safety management incidents and excellent environmental performance.
“In addition, I’d like to develop a strong culture where people feel good about the work they are doing and feel like their contributions make a difference to the organization,” he elaborated. “We’re also looking forward to this year being one of steady operation, where we can focus on talent development, continuous improvement and overall organizational optimization.”
Although Methanex hasn’t announced any expansion plans for the Geismar site, Fontenot said Louisiana is a strong contender for developing future sites.
“Louisiana is a great location to look at potentially building another new methanol plant,” explained Fontenot, who earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. “Our work around a potential third plant in Geismar is part of our ongoing process to grow our business and expand our operations in North America and across the globe.”
He stated the area about 25 minutes east of Louisiana’s capital is such a great location because the community has embraced Methanex from the get-go.
“Since the early days when Methanex was looking for a possible location for these plants, we’ve been so impressed with the warm welcome and support we’ve received from economic development organizations such as the Ascension Economic Development Corp. and Louisiana Economic Development, as well as local- and state-elected officials,” shared Fontenot, a Ville Platte, Louisiana, native. “They’ve all been true partners to us, and they played a key role in us choosing to bring our plants here.”
Local talent helps deliver on brand promise
Not only does the Methanex Geismar methanol facility have support from significant community development organizations and political playmakers, but it also has a team that comes from the area. Of the workers hired, more than 97 percent came from the Ascension and surrounding parishes. They embrace the One Team corporate culture by working together to accomplish their best work and depending upon one another for success. Fontenot said their commitments to this mentality are evident in their accomplishments.
“We have had no recordable injuries at our site since we began hiring people,” stated Fontenot, who has more than 32 years’ industry experience. “I think the key to good performance in Responsible Care® is hiring good, experienced people from industry who have a solid background and believe in safety and Responsible Care. They are also continually spreading and reinforcing that message throughout the organization. At the end of the day, every one of us wants to go home safely to our families, and it’s our job to continually hold each other to a standard that will ensure that this happens.”
Fontenot explained Methanex’s Responsible Care program is the “foundation of everything we do and is a key element of our global culture.” Another key element of Methanex’s global culture is its The Power of Agility™ brand promise, which is the company’s competitive advantage. The global team of approximately 1,300 employees quickly adapts and responds to customers’ needs while creating and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace. The team safely and reliably delivers on this brand promise every day.
Fontenot said he also feels having “strong leadership skills, good decision-making capabilities and solid core values that align well with the company” contribute to him delivering upon the brand promise.
“As plant manager, I have final responsibility for all aspects of the Methanex Geismar methanol facility, including operations, maintenance, Responsible Care, personnel, finance and IT,” he stated.
Prior to joining Methanex, Fontenot served as manufacturing manager at Georgia Gulf’s Plaquemine, Louisiana site, where he was employed for more than 29 years. His work in the company’s production, engineering, and health and safety management departments aptly prepared him to serve as Methanex’s Geismar plant manager.
Social responsibility, community engagement
Fontenot understands the importance of community outreach and how important it is to give back to the community in which you operate.
“Our Methanex team is active in our industry associations and other groups like the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance; the Louisiana Chemical Association; the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance, where I serve on the board; and the Ascension Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “I also participate in a Geismar plant managers’ group and serve on the Geismar Community Advisory Panel.”
His employees mirror his example by volunteering for and donating to local charities. “We’ve had great participation from our employees giving back at the Capital Area United Way’s Day of Caring over the past few years,” Fontenot stated. “Getting out with your co-workers and painting for a community nonprofit not only gives back, but it’s also a great way to get to know others in your organization.
“Social responsibility is very important to Methanex. Since coming to Ascension Parish, we’ve supported numerous community organizations, including Capital Area United Way, Ascension Parish schools, LSU, River Parishes Community College, Sheriff Jeff Wiley’s Christmas Crusades, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, the American Heart Association, The Arc of East Ascension, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Caring Parents of Geismar, Junior Achievement and many others. We have an employee-led social responsibility committee that helps guide our investment decisions.
“We continually work to have a positive impact on our community.”
Methanex Geismar
4171 Highway 73
Geismar, LA 70734
(225) 402-0300
www.methanex.com
Employees: 160 employees
Products: Methanol usage ranges from traditional applications in paints, solvents, plastics and building materials to clean-burning energy applications, such as biodiesel.
Size: 225 acres
