Meet John Taylor, Key Account Manager, based in Louisville, KY.
Meet John Taylor, Key Account Manager based in Louisville, Kentucky, who is nearing an incredible 43 years of dedicated service at Bakelite. And since it’s Valentine’s week, it’s a fitting time to spotlight someone whose early work even touched floral foam—one of those behind-the-scenes materials that helps flowers look their best this time of year.
John’s journey began as a Lab Technician and has evolved across nine different technical and commercial roles—each one shaped by curiosity, preparation, and a deep commitment to helping customers succeed. Known for his responsiveness, technical depth, and genuine partnership approach, John brings a rare blend of experience, adaptability, and customer focus to everything he does.
Outside of work, he’s a lifelong artist, guitarist, and newly inspired home cook. Discover the moments that shaped his career, the projects he’s most proud of, and why he believes Bakelite’s culture of growth continues to set the company apart.
John’s Story
Coming out of college with a biology degree, options are limited if you don’t go into the medical field. I was teaching part-time at Bellarmine College and cleaning offices at night to make ends meet. At the same time, I was considering a Fellowship of Urban Studies at St. Louis University when I accepted an offer from Borden to join their R&D group as a Lab Technician. That opportunity opened the door to the chemical industry for me, and over time, I found my way into more externally facing commercial roles. Those came much later in my career but ultimately led me to where I am today at Bakelite.
For me, the most rewarding part of working on the commercial side is bringing in new business. I believe the most important business is always the business you already have, but the real fun comes from working with new or current customers—especially those in new market spaces—and helping them apply our novel technologies in ways they may not have considered before. There’s something uniquely satisfying about seeing a customer light up when a solution clicks, or a new opportunity takes shape.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’ll share a story involving Syndicate Sales, one of our customers who uses Bakelite resin to make floral foam. This product, produced in Louisville, was created through targeted process improvements by our Technical Team and precise control from our Reactor Operators. The ability to adjust with the customer in mind significantly improved the quality and consistency. As a result, Syndicate Sales expanded into new foam markets and grew their business.
Floral foam is unique because the phenolic resin becomes the final product. Its cellular structure must absorb and retain water while remaining stiff enough to hold flower stems, requirements that demand precise control of resin chemistry, formulation, and processing.
What began as a troubleshooting effort has grown into a long-term partnership, combining Syndicate Sale’s application expertise with Bakelite’s phenolic chemistry to ensure consistent performance and support ongoing innovation.
I’ll share my own story because I believe it highlights the opportunities for growth within Bakelite. After starting as a Lab Technician and later earning my chemistry degree, I’ve held nine different roles, moving between a variety of technical and commercial positions. Each new chapter brought an opportunity to grow, and it’s genuinely encouraging to see other colleagues being given those same opportunities. My takeaway is simple: diligence and preparation are noticed and rewarded here.
Our Customers & Industry
Our customers really notice how responsive and supportive we are across functions. I work most closely with the Louisville and Decatur teams, and everyone I interact with has a very customer–centric mindset. That focus shows how we do business every day and reflect our overall commercial philosophy. Customers can feel that commitment in every interaction.
We see real growth potential in the composites market. There’s an opportunity to compete against established polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxy systems across a growing range of applications—especially in architectural and infrastructure projects where fire performance really matters. Interest is starting to build, but we’re still early; the snowball is at the top of the hill. A couple of signature wins could be all it takes to build real momentum and accelerate adoption.
Looking Ahead
It’s been interesting to watch how sales have evolved—both in general and here at Bakelite. A younger me felt like a lot relied on entertainment and price. Today, the focus is much more on value and service, even though prices still matter. What hasn’t changed is the importance of relationships. Our Commercial Team is (mostly) young, driven, and highly technical, and we’re increasingly valued as solution providers. Our goal is to take the next step and become a trusted business resource for our customers.
Indulge me—I’ll share more than one! First, remember that we’re in the chemical business and our customers are industrial, so safety should always come first. Second, listen, and recognize that it’s okay not to have all the answers; what matters more is learning how to find them. And finally, think beyond just today—not only in terms of what’s best for the company, but also what’s best for you and your long–term growth.
What makes Bakelite stand out in the industry?
The customer support we provide across functions is outstanding, but what truly sets us apart is our technical support, product development, and depth of expertise. That difference isn’t just something we believe internally—customer scorecards and feedback consistently reinforce it.
More About John
People are often surprised to learn that I consider myself an introvert. Moving from the lab into customer–facing roles pushed me to become more comfortable being outgoing. Over time, I’ve grown into what you might call an “extroverted introvert,” blending both sides depending on what the moment requires.
I’ve been drawing and playing the guitar for years; the challenge is finding as much time for it as I’d like. I mostly focus on portraits and figure drawing, and I enjoy playing old–school music. Lately, I’ve also been learning to cook. My menu isn’t vast yet, but it’s growing—and it’s been a fun new creative outlet.
