PHILADELPHIA — Rohm and Haas Co. announced plans to combine the U.S. and European operations of its recently acquired Morton Powder Coatings business into a new global business structure, and has appointed James C. Swanson vice president and worldwide business unit director of the powder-coatings business. Swanson was formerly vice president and general manager for Powder Coatings with Morton International Inc. Rohm and Haas recently completed its acquisition of Morton International.
The moves will integrate Morton Powder Coatings’ North American operations, based in Reading, PA, with those of Morton-Pulverlac, the company’s European powder business based in Romano d’Ezzelino, Italy. Worldwide marketing will be headed by Thomas P. Frauman, marketing manager, and product management in Europe will continue to be led by Gilberto Brocca, a longtime Pulverlac executive. Richard K. Sammel has been named international manager for New Technology, and will lead the integration of the European and North American powder businesses. Sammel was formerly a research manager for Morton Powder Coatings, North America.
“This new organization combines the largest producer of powder coatings in North America with the world’s largest powder-manufacturing facility (in Italy), and positions Morton as a leading supplier to an increasingly global marketplace,” Swanson said. He said expansion of product offerings in Europe will be a top priority for the newly integrated business organization.
