Engineered Wood Business Unit | Michelman Personnel Changes

Thursday, 31 January 2013


Michelman Broadens Global Business Structure to Improve Customer Focus and Fuel Aggressive Growth Rate

CINCINNATI, OH (January 31, 2013) – On the heels of a successful 2011 organizational restructuring, Michelman, a global developer of water-based functional coatings, surface modifiers and polymers continues making changes to better serve its diverse customer base and drive global growth initiatives. The company has formed a new Engineered Wood Business Unit and has made four significant personnel changes to better align its resources with customer needs.

The Engineered Wood Business Unit was formed to focus on the specialized needs of this market. It will be led by Mr. Steve Ruehrwein, who previously headed up Michelman’s Chemical Specialties BU. Mr. Ruehrwein’s new title is Business Unit Manager, Engineered Wood.

According to Mr. Marty Riehemann, Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Michelman, “Steve is passionate about growing this segment. He has become an industry expert through his work with our customers in the pressure treated lumber market and also through our recent successes in medium density fiberboard, particle board and oriented strand board. He brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a demonstrated record of success to the team.”

Mr. Peter Roggeman has been named as the new Business Unit Manager, Chemical Specialties. Mr. Roggeman will assume global responsibilities for Michelman’s Chemical Specialties business unit, the company’s largest and most diverse BU.

Mr. Steve Shifman, President and CEO at Michelman stated “Mr. Roggeman is our most experienced European business leader and is highly respected within the industry. His deep technical and market knowledge positions him perfectly to lead our Chemical Specialties BU”.

Michelman’s Flexible Packaging BU has seen significant growth, with particular success in the digital printing press market segment, where the company provides primers and overprint varnishes. Mr. Steve King, Sales Process Manager at Michelman will shift focus to expanding the digital printing market and is now responsible for improving global logistics, channel management, customer interface, implementing e-commerce capabilities and directing resource realignment. These changes have been made to ensure continued growth, new product development and customer satisfaction.

Within Michelman’s Paper Business Unit, Mr. Don Hoesl has been promoted to Business Unit Manager, Americas. He will also serve as an expert resource for the company’s European and Asian paper teams. Mr. Hoesl is one of Michelman’s leading experts regarding corrugated and specialty paper coatings and has a deep knowledge of products, applications and equipment. Michelman is also hiring additional sales, marketing and technology-focused personnel to support the Paper BU’s strategic initiatives.

About Michelman
Michelman is a global developer of water-based barrier and functional coatings for flexible film packaging, paperboard, and corrugated cartons; and water-based surface modifiers, additives and polymers for numerous industries including wood and floor care, industrial coatings, inks, fibers, composites, and construction products. Michelman serves its multinational and regional customers with production facilities in the U.S., Europe and Singapore, and a worldwide network of highly trained field technical support personnel.