People at ALPLA - Interview with Gabriel Sanchez

How would you explain what you do at ALPLA to someone who isn’t familiar with our industry?

We produce packaging for products such as shampoos, cleaners, creams and soft drinks. In my area, we use two technologies – EBM (Extrusion Blow Moulding) and SBM (Stretch Blow Moulding) – to shape plastic into bottles and other containers using a blowing process. I’m responsible for production in both areas.

What do you enjoy most about working at ALPLA?

I’ve been with ALPLA for 30 years and I’m still interested in everything I do. I enjoy getting involved and contributing to the success of the team. My most important tool is the experience I’ve gained along the way.

What has been your most memorable project at ALPLA?

All projects at ALPLA Argentina have been interesting and challenging. If I had to choose one, it would be the first major project I was involved in: the development of new products for one of our largest global customers in the home cleaning category.

What are you most proud of, personally and professionally?

Personally, I’m proud of having overcome a serious health challenge and learned to cope with it.

Professionally, I’m proud of completing my degree and being able to build my career within ALPLA.

Would you still choose the same job today?

I’ve been with ALPLA for 30 years, and absolutely – I wouldn’t change a thing. I love what I do.

How would your employees describe you as a leader, and how do you encourage them to take initiative?

I hope they would describe me as communicative, empathetic, reliable and inspiring – and above all, as a team player.

I also try to give my team the autonomy and trust to identify opportunities, propose solutions and take an active role in continuous improvement. For me, leadership means creating the space for people to contribute and take ownership.

How do you identify opportunities for improvement, and what has been a recent example?

Improvements are identified through observation, analysing results and feedback from the team. By comparing objectives with actual results, we can identify gaps, understand their causes and define concrete actions.

I combine a structured approach with ideas that come from experience, observation and discussions with the team. One recent example was a significant reduction in the inventory of material that can be reused internally, particularly white material. For me, continuous improvement is fundamental to learning and adapting to new needs.

You have a lot of experience in your field. How do you keep challenging yourself and making the right decisions?

We constantly try new things in operations and production. One example is preparing specific production lines for food-grade packaging, with all the additional requirements that come with it. What motivates me is the opportunity to keep learning and improving.

Making the right decisions also means learning from mistakes. I once let my personal perception influence my evaluation of a colleague. It taught me to separate personal impressions from professional assessment and focus on results, behaviours and concrete evidence.

What is the most difficult decision you have had to make at ALPLA?

One of the most difficult was cancelling a project we had already made significant progress on. Stepping back and analysing the data helped me make the right decision.

What advice would you give someone starting at ALPLA today?

Learn to recognise and seize opportunities – with commitment, hard work and a sense of belonging.

Where is your favourite place on earth?

Wherever I am with my family.

What is one thing you can never resist?

A request from my daughter.

What would you choose if you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life?

Milanesa with fries.

After 30 years at ALPLA, what do you still hope to achieve?

I would like to own my own home, stay healthy and see my children fulfil their dreams. And I want to complete my career at ALPLA feeling proud of the path I’ve travelled, my contribution and the legacy I was able to leave behind.

What question should I have asked you?

Do you remember your first day at ALPLA?

Do you remember your first day at ALPLA?

Yes, of course. I joined as a packer when the plant was still located in Bancalari. On my first day, the Shift Supervisor paired me with the person who would later become my partner and the mother of my children.