Coatings World - June 2011

Greger to lead DKSH Performance
Materials North American operation

DKSH’s Business Unit Performance Materials, a leading specialty chemicals distributor, has named Mathias Greger head of its North American operation. Greger has been working with the Swiss-based Market Expansion Services Group over the past year already, leading the in-house consulting team in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to joining DKSH, he had worked for the chemicals division of Mitsui & Co., with responsibility for sales and business development in Central and Eastern Europe. In his new role, Greger will focus on overall growth activities in the North American market by acquiring new suppliers, strengthening relationships with key suppliers, and expanding the customer base in the specialty chemicals and personal care industries.

Greger

BASF names Jeff Wildman as regional manager BASF Automotive Refinish has named Jeff Wildman as a regional manager. He will report directly to Nick Maloof, central zone manager for BASF Automotive Refinish. Wildman joined BASF in 1991 as a sales representative with the automotive refinish business; located in Chicago, IL, Wildman has since held numerous sales and marketing roles within BASF Automotive Refinish, including manager of operations for automotive refinish technologies (ART) and bodyshop-mall.com. Most recently, Wildman was a business development manager for BASF’s Central Zone and New Jersey and Philadelphia markets.

AC Tech appoints Martin Barila as vice president of operations AC Tech, a provider of aerospace sealants and specialty chemical products, has named Martin Barila as vice president of operations based at its Garden Grove, CA headquarters. Previously, Barila served as director of operations at Air Industries Company, an aerospace fastener manufacturer also located in Garden Grove. There he drove numerous operational improvements, including productivity gains, work in process reduction and lean implementation. Prior to entering the aerospace industry, Barila served in a variety of automotive engineering roles for Arvin Meritor Auto, Daimler Chrysler and Yamaha. CW

Pan Technology names Magdits VP sales and marketing

Takes over for Michael Frantz who is retiring after 46 years in the industry.

BASF names Derek Fairclough senior VP, dispersions and pigments, North America BASF has appointed Derek Fairclough senior vice president, dispersions and pigments, in North America. He is based in Charlotte, NC. Fairclough joined BASF in 2009 as part of the Ciba Corporation acquisition. He was named senior vice president, paper chemicals, in North America in June 2009. In that position, Fairclough was responsible for leading the Paper Chemicals business, which was established at the time of the acquisition. Prior to joining BASF, he was a member of the Global Leadership Board of Ciba Inc. and served as global head of Ciba’s Paper Chemicals Business from 2006-2009. He joined Ciba in 1987 and has worked in a number of manufacturing and technical operations leadership roles.

Pan Technology has appointed Frank Magdits as their vice president of sales and marketing. He will oversee the business development activities within the industries Pan Technology serves. In addition, Magdits will lead the marketing, branding and promotion of the company’s flagship Pan TINT brand and other product lines.

Magdits is taking over the position currently held by Michael Frantz, VP marketing, who will be retiring in July after 46 years in the coatings industry, and also the sales operations from Michael Rossomando, VP sales, who has been promoted to VP and general manager.

Magdits has an in-depth knowledge of the coatings industry having worked for Benjamin Moore & Company for 30 years. His business experience includes management positions in business development, sales, product and brand marketing, plant operations and total quality management.

Pan Technology is a manufacturer of pigment dispersions including aqueous, solvent and 100 percent solids chip. They are also primary suppliers for solvent-free polyol and plasticizer dispersions. Aside from these core products, Pan specializes in custom formulation and manufacturing, providing products to the coatings, ink, automotive, plastic and other industries.