Coatings World - October 2016

AkzoNobel has named Thierry F.J. Vanlancker as the future Executive Committee member responsible for Specialty Chemicals, effective February 1, 2017. He will succeed Werner Fuhrmann, who has decided to retire from the company next year, after

37 years of service.

Vanlancker, a Belgian national, was most recently president - Fluoroproducts for Chemours, the spin-off company of DuPont’s chemical businesses formed in 2015. He joined DuPont in 1988 and has held a number of senior positions both in Europe and the US.

Commenting on the announcement, AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner said: “We are delighted to have such an experienced chemical industry professional as Thierry join AkzoNobel. We look forward to him building on the fantastic momentum Werner has achieved, taking the Specialty Chemicals business to new levels.”

Axalta Appoints Samuel
L. Smolik to Board of
Directors

Axalta Coating Systems has announced that Samuel L. Smolik has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Smolik is senior vice president – Americas Manufacturing at LyondellBasell Industries, one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies serving companies in the packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishing, construction materials and biofuels sectors.

Before assuming his current position at
LyondellBasell Industries in 2015, Smolik
was vice president – Global Health,
Safety, Environment and Operational
Excellence at the company. From 2005
through 2009, he was vice president
– Global Downstream Health, Safety,
Security and Environment at Royal
Dutch Shell and before
that held a similar posi-
tion at Shell Chemical.
Between 1975 and
2004 Smolik held a
number of positions
of increasing respon-
sibility at The Dow
Chemical Company,
including a role during its merger with
Union Carbide, before attaining his fi-
nal position as vice president, Global
Environment, Health, Safety and Security.

Smolik has been a member of the American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association, the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care Committee, and The Conference Board’s Chief EH&S Officers Council among other affiliations. He is also involved with a number of community, education and other non-profit organizations including The University of Texas at Austin Engineering Advisory Board, the Antwerp International School Foundation and Ducks Unlimited, the leading wetlands conservation organization in North America.

Mantas to Become CEO
of New Company After
Allnex/Nuplex Business
Combination

Allnex has announced that Miguel Mantas, currently chief executive officer of Allnex, will become the CEO of the new company after the combination of Allnex and Nuplex, subject to European Commission clearance.

Currently, completion is expected to occur in mid-September 2016, following the receipt of European Commission approval in early September 2016.

Rich Alexander, C=chairman of the
Allnex Advisory Committee, said, “I am
convinced Miguel’s experience and in-
sights will allow the combined company
to move forward to great success and to
the benefit of both Allnex and Nuplex
customers. Customers would benefit
from access to a wider global manufac-
turing network, as well as broader and
more innovative product offerings.”

OSHA Appoints New
Director for its Construction
Directorate

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels has selected Dean McKenzie as the new director of the agency’s Directorate of Construction. McKenzie served as director of OSHA’s Office of Construction Services from 2012-2013, then became the deputy director in 2013, and has been the acting director since January of this year.

In his seven years with OSHA, he has accomplished many things, including addressing fatalities in the communication tower industry, building a strong relationship with the Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, and taking a lead role in the Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction campaign.

Emco Chemical Distributors
Hires Regional Sales
Manager

EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc., a leading chemical distributor in North America, has hired Dominic Romito as regional sales manager for Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Western Pennsylvania. In his role, he will manage sales efforts of EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc. business in the assigned territory through the management of existing and new customer relationships. He will be based out of Cleveland Ohio.

Romito was most recently senior account manager for Cargill Industrial Specialties with a focus in marketing thermoset chemistries. This was preceded by 6 years of direct selling for Polystar LLC and 16 years of Chemical distribution history with Maroon Inc. CW