Page 35 - Glass Machinery Plants & Accessories no. 2/2017

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LIBBEY Corning’s roofing and along with his nearly
asphalt division. Earlier 20 years of business
CFO APPOINTMENT in his career, Burmeister leadership experience,
served in a variety of roles make him highly qualified
Libbey Inc., one of the Inc. in Maumee, Ohio, with General Electric, to take on the CFO
largest glass tableware where he served as including an assignment role.” “On behalf of
manufacturers in the vice president, finance with GE’s highly regarded the board of directors, I
world, has announced and treasurer, with Corporate Audit Staff, would also like to extend
the appointment of James responsibility for the and with Rubbermaid in my sincere gratitude
C. (Jim) Burmeister treasury, investor its supply chain function. to Ronni Smith, who
to the position of vice relations, tax, sourcing, A graduate of the seamlessly assumed the
president, chief financial business development and US Naval Academy, interim CFO role three
officer. Burmeister continuous improvement Burmeister served as a months ago,” continued
joined the company as organizations. Prior to captain in the Marine William Foley. “She has
an executive officer on joining The Andersons, Corps from 1990-1995, once again demonstrated
30 March 2017, and Inc., he held roles of including service in the that she is a strong
will have accountability increasing responsibility Persian Gulf. and talented leader.”
for Libbey’s worldwide in operations finance with “We are pleased to With Burmeister’s
finance organization and Owens Corning, beginning welcome Jim to Libbey’s appointment, Ronni will
for implementing financial in 2005 as director, senior management resume her
and operating strategies finance of Owens team,” said William previous
to support the Company’s Corning’s cultured stone Foley, chairman and chief position as
drive to improve its business and culminating executive officer, Libbey vice
financial performance. in his role from 2013- Inc. “His extensive president,
Burmeister joins Libbey 2014 as vice president, knowledge of operations corporate
from The Anderson’s, finance of Owens and corporate finance, controller.

HARBISONWALKER “We are a US-based company and have a
strong US-based manufacturing network. We
NEW PLANT ANNOUNCED have already made significant investments in individual
plants, in locations such as South Shore, Kentucky and
HarbisonWalker International (HWI), the largest White Cloud, Michigan, as part of our plans to improve
supplier of refractory products and services in the US, our manufacturing performance across the company.
has announced that it is investing USD 30 million to This new plant, with its state-of-the-art technological
construct a new, state-of-the-art monolithic refractories advancements, is the next step in our strategy to
manufacturing facility. The new facility will be located improve performance and better meet the needs of our
along the Ohio River Valley in the northern Kentucky/ customers,” said Douglas Hall, Senior Vice President,
southern Ohio region of the US. Integrated Supply Chain, HarbisonWalker International.
The new facility will be one of the most technologically “Monolithics are a growth area, and the new plant
advanced refractories plants to be built in the US and will enable us to further elevate product quality and
will be operational by early 2018. Capacity is expected consistency. From a broader perspective, the new plant
to be 80,000 metric tons per year. It will employ represents an overall strategy to reinforce our leadership
highly-trained technicians and staff in a team-based position in refractories through significant investments
environment. The plant will feature a high degree in our people, processes and products,” added Carol
of automation and technology, and will utilize lean Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager,
techniques throughout its operations to maximize HarbisonWalker International.
material flow efficiency and production. In addition, the “Leveraging new technologies and processes in the
facility will introduce advanced packaging technologies new plant will allow us to successfully address growing
that are new to the North American market. demand for monolithics by being a cost-effective
The strategic location of the new facility is a critical producer of the highest quality products. These
feature that will provide unparalleled distribution and attributes – combined with the largest distribution
logistics advantages. Its close proximity to accessible network in North America, a total-solution product
river, rail and highway transportation options will ensure portfolio, and a reinvigorated approach to innovation
efficient delivery of raw materials from nearby suppliers – further strengthen our position as a leader in North
and finished products to customers. American refractories,” noted Jackson.

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