Packaging Briefs – FRIDAY, JUNE 18

Graphic Packaging Announces Closure of Golden, CO, Plant
Graphic Packaging International, Inc.  announced that it plans to close its Golden, CO, plant. The Company will transition business and equipment from Golden to other U.S. operating locations. The closure of the Golden facility reflects the Company's ongoing efforts to align its manufacturing footprint to the changing needs of its beverage customers and improve its cost structure and margins to better position it for future growth.

BASF to sell its hydrophilic melt additives business to Techmer PM
BASF has signed a definitive agreement to sell its hydrophilic melt additives business to Techmer PM, LLC, a manufacturer of colors and additives for the plastics and fiber industries located in Clinton, Tennessee, USA. The hydrophilic melt additives are currently marketed under the brand name Irgasurf® HL. Both companies have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. The transaction will include intellectual property and technical information but no transfer of the trademark Irgasurf®, tangible assets, or personnel and will have no impact on BASF's organizational structure.

Former Dow business Styron begins operations
Styron, a former business division of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced the new company's direction following the close of its sale to Bain Capital Partners on June 17. As a standalone, privately held company, Styron (http://www.styron.com) will be a leading materials company with global reach and a unique product portfolio bringing together plastics, rubber and latex businesses that share feedstocks, operations, customers and end users. The company has approximately $3.7 billion in revenue (based on 2009 data), with 20 manufacturing sites and 1,900 employees based in 30 countries.

John Knudsen named Smurfit-Stone senior vice president for Supply Chain and Board Sales
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation today announced the appointment of John Knudsen as senior vice president for Supply Chain and Board Sales. As senior vice president of supply chain and capital strategy, Knudsen has been responsible for Smurfit-Stone’s strategic sourcing, global logistics and supply chain groups, as well as the Company’s capital strategy process. In his new role, Knudsen will assume additional responsibility for Smurfit-Stone’s Board Sales group, which markets and sells the Company’s containerboard and pulp products to external customers in the U.S. and overseas. 

Bemis Company Elects Edison Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
Bemis Company, Inc. has elected Sheri H. Edison as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Ms. Edison joined Bemis from Hill-Rom, Inc. where she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. Edison came to Bemis Company from Hill-Rom, Inc., a global medical device manufacturer and distributor, where she had been Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since 2007.

Kimberly-Clark announces executive changes
Kimberly-Clark Corporation has announced executive changes that will further enhance its focus on continuous improvement, global sourcing and sustainability.  Jan Spencer, 55, currently president of Kimberly-Clark Professional, has been elected senior vice president, continuous improvement, sourcing and sustainability.  Christian Brickman, 45, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for the company, has been elected president, Kimberly-Clark Professional, succeeding Spencer.  Elane Stock, 45, currently national vice president of the American Cancer Society, will join the company in mid-August as senior vice president and chief strategy officer. Stock and Brickman will transition the strategy role through the end of August. The other executive changes are effective September 1, 2010.

Gerber Scientific Board Appoints James A. Mitarotonda as New Director       
Gerber Scientific, Inc. , a worldwide leader in integrated automation solutions, announced that Mr. James A. Mitarotonda has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Mr. Mitarotonda is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Barington Capital Group, L.P., an investment firm that he co-founded in 1991.

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