Bringing technical expertise closer to the customer.
For Alex Birtles, joining Fraser Technologies was a natural next step in a career built around technical problem-solving, speciality chemicals and understanding the challenges customers face in both laboratory and production environments.
With a background in Biomaterials Engineering from Loughborough University and experience within a speciality chemical company, Alex has developed skills spanning R&D and product development, scale-up and manufacturing, as well as client-facing technical roles.
Alex Birtles - Technical Sales Engineer
“In my previous roles I have had to overcome cleaning challenges both in lab & production environments, so I really appreciate the importance of the process!” Alex said.
That experience is now being brought to Fraser Technologies in his role as Technical Sales Engineer, where his focus is on helping customers identify the best cleaning solution for their specific requirements.
What Alex does for Fraser Technologies customers
Alex’s role goes beyond supplying a product. His responsibility is to understand what the customer actually needs from their cleaning process and then help develop the most appropriate solution.
As he explains:
“Providing customers with the best possible solution for their needs – number one is always the performance requirement and then there are things to consider from efficiency, cost, environmental impact etc.”
This means working directly with customers to understand their applications and processes, supporting cleaning trials and developing proposals, while drawing on both his own technical experience and the wider expertise within the Fraser Technologies team.
For Alex, one of the most rewarding aspects is seeing a project develop from an initial proposal through to implementation and ultimately deliver a tangible improvement for the customer.
“Seeing the projects through from initial proposal through to implementation and it making improvements for the customer is probably what I find most exciting though.”
Why Fraser Technologies is the right fit
Alex’s approach closely reflects the way Fraser Technologies works with customers, not simply as a supplier, but as a technical partner.
His previous experience has given him a combination of technical knowledge, structured problem-solving and the ability to respond to changing customer requirements. Those qualities are particularly relevant in precision cleaning, where the right solution depends on understanding the component, contaminants, process requirements, production environment and wider business considerations.
“Fraser Technologies is not just looking to sell products but act as a technical ‘partner’ to customers.”
That philosophy is supported by more than over 55 years of experience within the Fraser Technologies team, combined with an agile approach that allows the business to respond to individual customer requirements.
For Alex, that combination was one of the reasons Fraser Technologies stood out when he was considering his next move:
“There is also vast experience and technical expertise within the company, having operated in the industry for over 55 years which was an exciting prospect for me to learn from but also potentially bring in some new ideas.”
Seeing precision cleaning in practice
Since joining the company, Alex has already had the opportunity to visit customer sites and see first-hand how important cleaning can be across a wide range of applications.
From basic turned parts and key engine components to PCBs used in aerospace and defence applications, these experiences have reinforced the importance of getting the cleaning process right.
“Also, seeing in practice, how integral the cleaning process is, whether it be for basic turned parts, key engine components or PCB’s in aerospace and defence”
It is this practical, application-focused approach that Alex brings to his work with customers. Rather than starting with a product and working backwards, the emphasis is on understanding the application and identifying the solution that best meets the customer’s requirements.
Looking ahead
Alex is keen to build strong relationships with both customers and colleagues while contributing to the continued growth of Fraser Technologies.
His first-year ambition is straightforward:
“I want to become someone the team and customers can rely on. I’d love to finish my first year having built some great relationships and made a measurable contribution to the company’s growth”
He is also looking forward to developing new business, identifying new application areas and helping customers who are evaluating different technologies or competing products.
Ultimately, his aim is to become a trusted technical resource for customers, someone they can turn to when they have a cleaning challenge that needs solving.
“I’d like to make a positive impact by building strong, trusted relationships with customers, so that they want to come to us for solutions.”
Get to know Alex
Outside work, Alex describes himself as “Driven, positive, personable” and enjoys tennis, golf, getting outdoors, the gym, cooking and music events.
Alex is someone who clearly enjoys getting involved, whether that means solving a technical cleaning challenge or developing a customer relationship.
Get in Touch
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