Irene von Knoblauch-Dreyer is the Managing Director of Flexilube, a leading lubricants and metalworking fluid manufacturer founded in 1984. Irene holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Psychology from Rhodes University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Wits Business School. She started her career in 2000, working as an associate in the crisis management and corporate communications team at Burson-Marsteller London, where she ran numerous incident-based simulations and programs for a variety of international FMCG companies. These programmes were directed at helping corporate management handle major crises; including product failures, international recalls, strikes, difficult restructuring and product tampering. She also implemented pan-European media outreach programmes which included the training of senior executives, in conjunction with leading broadcast journalists, in a ‘live studio’ environment. Upon returning to South Africa in 2005, she joined Flexilube as a management trainee, working for the Commercial Director. Over the following four years, she underwent an intensive training programme where she worked in each business unit gaining valuable insight into the operational, commercial, technical and sales aspects of the South African lubricants industry. In 2009, she became General Manager and together with her management team was tasked with implementing strategies to further innovate, grow and develop the business and Flexilube brand in South Africa. Since then, the company has seen significant growth and the focus on sustainability, quality and innovation has led to the launch of a number of first-to-market products and services. Now, entering its 40th year of operation, Flexilube’s market leading product range, specialist technical expertise as well as value-added services continue to make a meaningful impact to each of their customers’ unique manufacturing requirements.