News
Meet the team: People behind the progress
As we mark key milestones in our company’s journey, we’re celebrating the people whose dedication, resilience, and leadership have helped shape who we are today. We invite you to meet some of our long term colleagues from around the world.
Grace Pan – Customer Service Manager, Gurit Tianjin (China)
With Gurit for 18 years
“I’ve been with Gurit for 18 years, and it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve learned so much about the wind energy supply chain – and seeing our materials used in luxury boats is pretty amazing, too. What makes me proud is that, from our local site in Tianjin, we’ve always worked hard to deliver the same level of service to global customers. It’s rewarding to be part of a team that truly cares. Since I started, the Tianjin site has changed a lot. We started out manufacturing prepreg, then moved onto Corecell, and later introduced PET – starting with one line and now we run three.
We’ve adapted through fierce competition and constant evolution, and I think that’s what sets Gurit apart: we’re always ready to adjust. The most important lesson I’ve learned? Embrace change. Don’t be afraid to learn something new.”
Steve Shaw – Principal Engineer & Power Craft Leader
With Gurit (and formerly High Modulus) since 2006
Steve Shaw’s journey with Gurit began nearly two decades ago, when he joined High Modulus in 2006 and later became part of the Gurit team during the 2010 acquisition. Today, as Principal Engineer and Power Craft Leader, he brings his depth of expertise, steady leadership and focus on quality to solving complex design challenges.
What keeps it interesting after all these years? “Variety,” Steve says. “Even with similar boats, different builders bring different objectives, methods, and philosophies. No two projects are quite the same.” He also values working across borders and cultures – collaborating with customers and colleagues from around the world.
Like many of our longtime colleagues, Steve has seen Gurit evolve. He points to the addition of PET to the product range as a pivotal moment that opened new markets and aligned with a growing focus on sustainability – something he’s glad to see take hold. He’s also seen the business strengthen through challenge: “The restructure of the composite engineering team in 2021 was tough, but it helped us become more efficient, more focused, and ultimately a stronger team.”
Looking ahead, Steve is especially excited by developments in kitting and optimization – technologies that promise improved quality, faster builds, and more sustainable use of materials. “We’re combining our experience with intelligent automation to reduce time and cost, not just of the build but of the design time too – and that’s a big step forward.”
Through it all, Steve credits Gurit’s focus on quality and its people as the things that truly set it apart. “I believe in openness and speaking with the wider group of colleagues. There’s often knowledge or experience beyond your own department that can help you – and help others.” Whether it’s building world-class projects or upholding the office cake tradition on birthdays, his steady presence and collaborative spirit play a vital part of the team’s long-term success.
Gloria Abia – Purchasing Manager, Gurit Albacete (Spain)
With Gurit (and formerly SP Systems) since 2000
“The company has changed a lot since I started in 2000. Back then, it wasn’t Gurit – it was SP Systems – and our focus was wind. Over the years, we’ve entered new markets, expanded our customer base, and simplified operations to improve productivity. That’s meant optimizing supply chains and embracing automation.
One of my proudest memories is from 2005, when I spent a year working in Newport for Gurit UK. The experiences I had, the culture, and the people I met made it an unforgettable year.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a major test. We had to adapt quickly – financial pressures, remote work, supply chain disruption… it pushed us to innovate and embrace digital transformation in a way we hadn’t before. That period taught us a lot about resilience.
What sets Gurit apart is our people. There’s a strong culture here that makes you feel engaged and valued. When people feel that way, they contribute more – and we see the results. We’re also agile. Whether it’s changing customer requirements or global challenges, we know how to pivot and keep going.
The most important lesson I’ve learned? Adaptability and resilience. And the power of teamwork. Working together toward shared goals is what makes everything possible.”
Ray Lewis – Key Account Manager (Wind)
15 years with Gurit (to date)
“I first joined the company in 1998, back when it was still SP Systems. We were based on the Isle of Wight, operating out of an old dairy on Love Lane. It was very much a marine-focused business at the time, but we were just beginning to explore the wind market – and that’s where I started.
Since then, I’ve seen the company evolve into a global player in composites. There have been changes, acquisitions, new markets, and restructurings – but through it all, one thing has stayed the same: it’s the people who make the difference. Whether it’s reconnecting with former colleagues, working with new teams from different sites and cultures, or coming full circle with the same wind customer I worked with back in the day, it’s always been about the people.
I left for about a decade to work for another company in the core materials and kitting space. That time gave me a new perspective and additional product knowledge. Sometimes we think the grass is greener, but the challenges across the industry are often the same – they’re driven by market forces, no matter where you are. So, when the opportunity came to rejoin Gurit and focus again on a customer I’d worked with from the very beginning, it felt like the right time to return.
These days, I describe my role as being like an orchestra conductor. I try to make sure everyone involved with the account – across sites, departments, and geographies – is playing the same tune. Everyone brings their own approach, their own culture, and their own strengths, and that makes what we deliver more meaningful and authentic to the customer.
Looking back, my proudest moment was joining the wind team, a market I have since been in for 25 years now. It feels good to have played a small part in the journey at Gurit, and I’m excited about how Gurit continues to evolve and to see where we go next.”
Mohan Murali – Head of Maintenance, Gurit Chennai (India)
With Gurit since 2021
“Every challenge is an opportunity to strengthen the plant’s backbone.”
—Mohan Murali
From the very beginning, Mohan Murali has played a pivotal role in shaping Gurit India. Joining at the greenfield stage in 2021, he helped lay the literal and cultural foundations of a site that has since become a model of high performance.
As Head of Maintenance, Mohan thrives on the fast pace of his role. “Maintenance plays a mission-critical role in any manufacturing setup. The thrill of problem-solving under pressure – and seeing the tangible results – is what keeps me going.” A mentor as much as a manager, he takes pride in watching his team grow, rise to challenges, and own their success.
That sense of ownership isn’t accidental. Mohan has embraced several of Gurit India’s signature practices, including Self Driven Team Members – a culture of “organization within the organization” – and the Power of Zero, which targets zero defects, zero downtime, and zero waste through a system-driven approach. There’s also Pradhakshana, a unique daily ritual that builds respect and connection between employees and machines.
“These practices don’t just improve operations,” he says. “They strengthen mindset, culture, and care.”
One of Mohan’s proudest moments came during a challenging time: the commissioning of all machinery during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited remote support from other Gurit sites, his team successfully brought Chennai online – an achievement marked by commitment, adaptability, and unity. That same year, he was recognized as Best Employee of the Year – an award he is rightly proud of.
Whether it’s the spirit of collaboration in Sunrise Meetings or the joy of celebrating together at the annual PAVANAM gathering, Mohan believes in the power of rituals, rhythm, and respect to keep teams aligned and energized. As he looks to the future, he remains focused on building a system – and a team – that continues to grow stronger every day.
Yu Chen – Senior Project Manager, Gurit Taicang (China)
Over 16 years at Gurit
“Real growth often happens outside of your comfort zone.”
—Yu Chen
With more than 16 years at Gurit, Yu Chen has experienced the Taicang site’s evolution firsthand – from his early days as a laser tracking engineer to leading international project teams across continents. He describes his career as a journey of continuous learning and shared success: “Working with the team, developing with the team, and together enjoying the successful results.”
After transitioning to project management in 2011, Yu has led installations and complex global projects, including a milestone trip where he took the Chinese team to Germany for mold installation. But perhaps his most memorable challenge came during a wind turbine mold project in Portugal. Facing a steep learning curve and tight timelines, he and his team persevered through overtime, collaboration, and determination.
As a core member of the Taicang site’s management team, where a flexible and fast-moving approach is the key to success, Yu embraces this boundaryless leadership mindset – contributing wherever needed, both within and beyond his formal responsibilities, to help the wider team achieve shared goals.
Yu’s own leadership philosophy is rooted in initiative and communication. Inspired by one of Gurit’s senior leaders, he shares a core insight:
“It is better to ‘dare to do’ than ‘know how to do.’ Taking initiative, reacting quickly from failure, and problem solving is far more valuable than simply repeating tasks without any regard for effectiveness.”
He also believes deeply in the power of teamwork: “The workplace is not a solo, but a symphony.”
Looking ahead, Yu is optimistic about the road Gurit is paving in composites and sustainability.
“We are committed to building an efficient and cooperative team, improving quality, and creating value for our customers. On the path of sustainable development, the company is strengthening its social responsibility and collaborating with partners to make meaningful progress.”