Charmed by the Chemistry

Spray Foam Magazine – Fall Issue 2021 – AMBIT Polyurethane is a chemical manufacturing company focused on the manufacture of spray foam insulation and coatings used for energy conservation and water mitigation. They have been working on the development of their new products since January 2019, but this family run business are in fact pioneers within the industry with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will impress all. One of their objectives is by offering quality products while incorporating rapidly renewable and recyclable content and innovative technologies, they will help reduce the carbon footprint.

The Spray Foam Magazine team was honored to chat with the father and son duo, who through hard work and dedication are not only an inspiration but a driving force for the industry as a whole.

DAVE LALL – CEO of AMBIT Polyurethane

Can you tell us something about your start in life and how that has helped you in the business world? As a very young 18 year old studying chemical engineering in Europe in a foreign language, I was in an environment completely different from where I grew up in South America. Being in that situation helped me tremendously to meet the business challenges of today.

How did you get started in the SPF industry? After graduating I moved to Toronto, Canada and I was lucky enough to get a job in the polyurethane industry straight out of university. I was charmed by the chemistry of polyurethane. My worldly experience allowed me to change from country to country without difficulties, so after working in Canada for a while, I moved to the United States to open a manufacturing plant for DEMILEC (USA) where I introduced open-cell spray foam insulation to the U.S. market.

What inspired you to launch AMBIT? After successfully building one of the largest spray foam system companies in the United States and five years of sabbatical, I came to realize that I have much more to offer the spray foam industry and felt it was my calling to create new and innovative polyurethane products. The implementation of these newer technologies and chemistries into the spray foam systems will help advance the spray foam industry.

How would you describe your leadership style? I am a “hands-on” type of leader. I like to get involved and be familiar with every aspect of the business. I am also receptive to people’s new ideas.

What does success look like to you? To me success looks like AMBIT’s parking lot; full of trailers and smiling customers picking up our materials and easily spraying homes so homeowners have properly insulated homes. Resulting in them never having to go through the hardship of freezing weather like we experienced here in Texas last year.

How do you empower people who work for AMBIT, and how is this positive for staff morale and business? For this question, I asked my team what I do to empower them. Belinda, Marketing Coordinator said, “Dave works to create a team atmosphere at AMBIT where we all work together to help advance the company and the spray foam industry. Each team member’s ideas and opinions are valued and celebrated.” Al, CFO said, “Dave is a very hands-on CEO who is very approachable and involved in every aspect of the business, from development to production, to sales.”

Does AMBIT have any innovative products you would like to tell our readers about? AMBI-SEAL 5.0 open-cell SPF is a more temperature stable resin and requires lower application temperature. This newly formulated product allows the applicators a quick start. The quick start, and easy application results in more square feet of applied foam.

Why is energy efficiency important to AMBIT? Global warming is a significant contributor to climate change. Energy efficiency is a vital component in reducing green-house gas like carbon dioxide. Furthermore, energy efficiency is great for the environment with reduced utility bills.

What’s the mantra you try to live by? Do your part in the short history of your life.  

KEVIN LALL – President of AMBIT Polyurethane

How did you enter the world of spray foam? Being the son of one of the pioneers in the industry, I was very fortunate to be exposed to a great deal in the polyurethane industry at a very young age. From the early days, when the open-cell spray foam market was non-existent, to witnessing its incredible growth of where the industry stands today. Throughout the years, I have held many roles. From working trade shows, visiting with suppliers and customers, to being a part of the development team working in the lab on new and innovative products. However, my first real introduction into the business was the summer of 1998, after moving to Arlington, TX from Montreal, QC Canada. I was responsible for painting the reactors at our first facility in Arlington, TX. This is also where I got my first taste of the Texas heat. It was a tough job which taught me how to work hard and to appreciate the value of getting your hands dirty.

As the president of AMBIT what are your day-to-day responsibilities? Being that we are only about a year old, my daily responsibilities vary drastically. It requires one to be nimble and fulfill whatever role is needed for the day. For example, in the morning I will review our material resource planning (MRP) to see where we stand with raw materials. Lately, this has been by far the most challenging. Most of the raw materials we purchase are done so months in advance. The reason for this is due to inconsistent delivery times, which make it difficult to forecast. The next moment, I may have to jump in as a batch maker where I am responsible for producing the various materials we offer. From time to time, I also must process our products through our quality control protocols in the lab as well as physically test spray each one of our batches. But, perhaps the most enjoyable part of my day, is meeting with a new customer to showcase and discuss the various benefits and technology we incorporate into our products. This allows me the opportunity to walk them through our display area and get to know our customers on a more personal level.

What’s the best piece of leadership advice you’ve ever received? The best leadership advice I ever received was to find a mentor(s) to help guide you and offer insight into the industry.  

What’s it like working with your dad, and how do family values impact AMBIT’s ethos? I may be a little biased, but I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world because I get to work alongside my father, and in fact, my mother as well. Most people do not have the opportunity to work with their family, whereas I get to do so daily. My dad is considered one of the best urethane chemists and businessmen in the industry by many and he is the best I have ever met. I also consider him my best friend and a mentor as well. As I grow older, I appreciate more and respect where he has come from and the achievements he has made over the years. Seeing his excitement about building a new business, his tireless work ethic, and his pure enjoyment is infectious. As wonderful as my dad is, he would not be where he is today without my mother. She has also worked in the spray foam industry for many years, with her experience focused primarily on developing the international markets. She has a unique purview for how to solve problems or issues within both domestic and foreign spray foam markets.

Therefore, the AMBIT Ethos can be summarized as redefining the spray foam industry with relentless hard work and dedication with a focus on the customer experience, continuous optimization, and consideration for others. We are the next generation of spray foam.

How would you describe your leadership style? I would describe my leadership style as consultative and communal. As a leader I feel it is important to listen intently to my team. They are the machine to our engine and by cultivating an environment where we have open discussions creates a smoothly run and efficient vehicle. I also find it necessary to teach and educate my team members on how to analyze and overcome certain obstacles.

What advice would you give to your younger self just starting out in the industry? Change is a constant in the spray foam industry, be prepared to adjust accordingly and remain adaptable.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Knowing the harder I work; I get to contribute to my father’s legacy and the lives of our employees.

How does AMBIT’S company culture have an impact on its innovation? Much like America, we are a melting pot of backgrounds and experiences from all walks of life, in which everyone can contribute meaningful and influential ideas for the betterment of the company. Meaning, we are supportive of one another through the successes and the hardships.

As president of AMBIT what, so far, has the position taught you? As President, working in this position has created a level of humility that I never knew existed. I have become a better leader by being more patient, confident and kind. These qualities combined, have contributed to the success for both AMBIT as a company, and its team.