At ReAgent, our success is built on the expertise and dedication of our people. One of our key team members is Shirley Leetch, a highly experienced Product Development Chemist who plays a crucial role in formulating and improving the chemicals we blend.
With an extensive background in formulation development, Shirley ensures that every product we manufacture meets customer specifications and performs to the highest standards.
In this post:
A career in chemistry: From ICI to ReAgent
Shirley’s journey in chemistry began at ICI, where she joined a student programme that gave her exposure to various departments. This early experience provided her with a broad foundation in chemical formulation and product development.
Since then, Shirley has worked across multiple industries, developing an impressive portfolio of formulations. Her expertise spans a wide range of products, from pharmaceutical and personal care items to industrial and speciality chemicals.
Some of the diverse formulations she has worked on include:
- Smokers’ toothpaste – designed for enhanced oral care
- Witch Doctor sticks – formulated for skin relief
- Inkjet printer inks – ensuring precision and durability
- IV drips and antiseptics – meeting stringent medical-grade standards
- Cough syrups and chest rubs – combining efficacy with flavour and scent considerations
This extensive background in pharmaceuticals, flavourings, and scents has equipped Shirley with the ability to develop innovative and highly functional products tailored to specific needs.
Creating formulations at ReAgent
For the past nine years, Shirley has been an integral part of the ReAgent team, where she focuses on developing new formulations and refining existing products.
She is responsible for formulating new products, ensuring they meet all customer requirements. Once a formulation is developed, she tests it with customers and makes necessary adjustments to enhance its performance. Shirley is on hand to help customers with any technical support they may require, whether that’s before, during, or after purchase.
If any challenges arise, she works to troubleshoot and resolve formulation issues, ensuring that the product meets the desired specifications.
One of her current projects involves developing a diesel filter cleaning foam. The existing formulation does not hold the foam structure as required, so Shirley is actively working on a new formulation that enhances foam retention while maintaining its cleaning efficacy.
Ensuring product success from formulation to full-scale production
Shirley’s contributions go beyond formulation – she is involved in many stages of the product life cycle. Her responsibilities include:
- Product testing and analysis – Ensuring quality and compliance
- Training team members – Teaching others how to test and evaluate formulations
- Technical documentation – Writing MSDSs and work instructions
- Manufacturing collaboration – Working closely with production teams to ensure scalability from small batches to industrial-scale production
- Deviation work – Addressing challenges in scaling up formulations and adapting products for different packaging sizes
Her ability to bridge the gap between development and manufacturing ensures that every product functions optimally from initial formulation to final production.
Why Shirley’s expertise matters to our customers
Shirley’s deep understanding of formulation science, combined with her hands-on experience in multiple industries, allows us to develop innovative, high-quality solutions tailored to our customers’ needs.
Whether it’s troubleshooting a formulation challenge, scaling up production, or enhancing product performance, Shirley’s expertise ensures that ReAgent delivers solutions that work.
If you have specific formulation requirements or need expert advice on product development, Shirley and the ReAgent team are here to help. Get in touch to talk about how we can support your chemical needs.
