Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026/ 12 Industrial Waxes MD of the Year 2026: Hugh McAulay & Best Specialist Industrial Wax Manufacturer 2026 Graduating from the University of Glasgow with a degree in chemistry, Hugh McAualy began his career in sales for the chemical industry, before progressing through the industry and trying his hand at every element of it. Following a stint as the MD of a company producing tin foil and cling film, he returned to the world of chemicals in 2016, joining Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd as its managing director. Ten years later, we caught up with Hugh following his recognition in this programme. A niche manufacturer with a solid base in amide wax technology, Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd is based in South Wales, an area reported to once be the heart of the UK’s wax industry. The company is a whollyowned subsidiary of Höganäs AB, which purchased Abril in 2015. The restructuring that followed saw the company retain some independence due to the specialist areas it serves, especially through its main product, synthetic amide wax. Roughly 50% of Abril’s business comes from this, which the company makes at home in Wales, before processing it further in-house to ensure that the final product lives up to the high standards the company is known for. Hugh told us: “That is ultimately where the value lies.” The other half of Abril’s business comes from specialised tolling, where the team produce specific blends and combinations of waxes that are unique, confidential, and sold to individual customers. Höganäs is one of the customers making the most of this, using Abril’s modified amide wax as an external lubricant in the powered metal technologies it produces, mostly for the automotive industry. Outside of the world of automative solutions, other areas where Abril’s products get extensive use include surface coatings, adhesives and sealants, and plastic masterbatch, highlighting the balance of flexibility and niche solutions it offers. Behind every solution is the drive to do more than just offer something nobody else does, with Abril striving to make the process as efficient as possible. For Abril, the only thing above is efficiency is safety. “We work safely or not at all”, added Hugh. “This is the number one priority throughout Höganäs and something we fully appreciate and take on board at Abril. We must always ensure that we follow safety systems, adopt safe systems of work, train the workforce, and make sure everyone contributes to safety.” Investment in safety has been particularly high over the past three years, with new safety systems and safety features introduced. However, we all appreciate that safety at work goes beyond the physical, and psychological safety is something Hugh makes sure defines the culture at Abril, which is a place where everyone is invited to speak up and offer their opinion. After all, Hugh asked: “Why employ good people and then ignore them?” The collaboration this encourages, alongside the independence afforded to it by Höganäs, means Hugh is in a very strong position to drive innovation and help Abril set its own priorities. The team are free to trust their judgement and use their knowledge and experience across their roles, and as long as they operate within the boundaries of Abril’s safeworking procedures, plant capabilities, and the quality it aspires to, Hugh helps them thrive. He does this in a number of ways, including through the Go4Great health initiative. Last year, this saw the team take part in geocaching sessions around the village, with staff given the opportunity to work in small groups with people they do not usually work with. Free fruit has also been introduced into the office every week, a simple touch but one that has proven popular. On a practical level, the environment the team work in is also undergoing maintenance in the second half of this year, with new changing rooms and showers being installed. This follows the previous introduction of air conditioning into all the office and lab areas, which helps a lot, especially given the recent heatwaves the UK has been going through! These changes are all small parts of Hugh’s legacy at the helm of Abril, and given his plans to retire next summer, this is something he has been thinking a lot about lately. His recent tasks have involved a lot of succession planning, but he remains committed to his long-time duties, which include hitting environmental targets and supporting his team. Named Industrial Waxes MD of the Year 2026 (alongside Abril’s recognition as the Best Specialist Industrial Wax Manufacturer 2026), Hugh McAulay’s impact on Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd has been undeniable. We wish him all the best with his retirement and Abril all the best as it enters an exciting new chapter under someone else’s leadership. More on Abril and its products can be found below. Contact: Hugh McAulay Company: Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd Web Address: www.hoganas.com/en/abril Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd
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