About Solecta
Innovating Process Separations For A Better WorldSolecta plays a globally impactful role in the development of novel separation technologies that directly support the improvement of the peoples’ lives.
Our Purpose
To innovate process separations for a better world.
Our Mission
To be the industry leader for solving the most challenging process separations using innovative polymeric membrane solutions across industries and the world.
Our Values
Client Success
Win as a Team
Dare to Shape the Future
Strive for Excellence
We Value Each Other
We Are Always Learning and Growing
What Makes Solecta Different
We focus on solving problems-not selling products. At Solecta, we combine a deep understanding of the client’s success requirements with deep domain expertise to bring the best solution to every opportunity. We strive to provide a superior return on our clients’ process economics while delivering the greatest possible client experience in the industry. Delivering on these three pillars is what truly defines the Solecta Difference!
Client
Success
Focused on our clients’ success as the engine of our success.
Bottom Line Focus
Focused on process economics and where we can drive the biggest impact for our clients
Entrepreneurial Partner
Focused on being nimble, responsive and creative to support our clients’ evolving needs and to build long-term relationships
Our Leadership Team
Here are some of the people behind the company – all are experts prepared and eager to help you develop and execute your growth strategy and implement your new innovation strategy.
Jim Ford
Chief Executive OfficerJim is the Chief Executive Officer of Solecta. Jim initially joined the company in 2019 as the Chief Commercial Officer with a vast array of business success from being a client advocate and change agent, to digging in and getting things done, to finding new business opportunities and improvements in current operations. Jim has a passion for understanding the customer pain points and finding ways to better serve the customer, while being proactive about sustainability for future generations.
Working in the industry for over 25 years across industries in Clean Technology, and an Engineering degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, his success working in startups and Fortune 100 companies is no surprise.
He lives through the customer’s eyes and truly seeks to understand their needs. He tries to always be curious and to truly understand the challenges our customers face so that he can help apply our expertise to provide them with innovative solutions to solve their complex process membrane challenges – across all industries.
Jim wholeheartedly lives his favorite quote from Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible, until it’s done!”
Fred Taylor
Chief Operating OfficerFred Taylor is an accomplished leader with over three decades of experience transforming operations and driving growth in global manufacturing. As Chief Operating Officer of Solecta, Inc., Fred leverages his expertise in operational excellence, Lean transformations, and strategic integration to oversee Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and R&D.
Fred’s career is defined by results. At Jonathan Engineered Solutions, he integrated six acquired businesses into a unified, high-performing group, improved on-time delivery from 40% to over 90%, and led the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mexico. Across roles at BICO, Zodiac Aerospace, Honeywell International, and more, Fred has consistently turned underperforming operations into thriving success stories, delivering EBITDA improvements, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and fostering innovation.
With an MBA from Columbia University and a BS in Manufacturing Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, Fred pairs technical acumen with strategic vision. Certified in Lean/Six Sigma, he is passionate about creating sustainable, high-impact solutions that elevate organizations and empower teams.
At Solecta, Fred is committed to building a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation as the company continues to deliver exceptional value to its clients worldwide.
Sanjay Srivatsa
Vice President of Client Co-CreationSanjay Srivatsa came to Solecta in early 2020 as Vice President – Food Ingredients, Life Sciences & Manufacturing Markets. He has a wealth of experience and an esteemed career beginning in marketing and sales. Before joining Solecta, he was responsible for Global Strategic Accounts at Nalco Water, An Ecolab Company, where he focused on water, energy and food safety strategies for leading global producers in the Food and Beverage segments.
In his role with Solecta, Sanjay focuses on “Co-Creating” sustainable and disruptive applications of leading-edge membrane technology for customers.
Sanjay has multiple degrees, earning a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and completing an Executive MBA course from the University of Chicago.
His favorite quote comes from Robert Frost: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep.”
Derek Hibbard
Vice President of Dairy MarketDerek comes from the Midwest, where he received his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Minnesota where he studied Applied Economics and Food Science. Since that time, Derek has spent two decades committed to progressing the process membrane separations space in leadership roles with both systems and membrane manufacturing organizations.
His mission at Solecta is to ensure that Solecta is consistently helping customer solve important issues, providing the highest level of customer care, and delivering products on time that perform every time.
Derek has a passion for what he does, his favorite quote is from Theodore Roosevelt, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
Ryan Furukawa
Vice President of Client Solutions and Co-CreationRyan comes to Solecta with over 19 years of experience in membrane technology solutions. Before joining Solecta, Ryan was VP of Technology for the Genesys PWT division of H2O Innovation. He was responsible for leading product development initiatives, ensuring the continuity of the global technical service offering and managing California operations. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University.
In his role at Solecta, Ryan will utilize his experience in membrane technology to help develop and lead co-creation projects to provide solutions and bottom-line improvements to client operations.
Ryan is a creative thinker adept at aligning business opportunities that result in operational improvements. His favorite quote is from Albert Einstein, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
True North Venture Partners
True North Venture Partners is developing an interconnected and symbiotic set of innovative technologies and businesses that will reshape core industries and help the world transition to a clean and sustainable future.
As one of its portfolio companies, Solecta benefits from the long term view True North has for the firm – to disrupt existing process separation operations with innovative technologies and business models.
Board of Directors
Do You Want to Make a Big Impact?
We’re hiring.
Solecta is looking for more of the best and brightest – those who want to make a positive impact on the world through membrane solutions in major industrial sectors across the globe.