BASF (Southfield, MI) has named Rainer Blair group vice president, Coatings, for North America, with responsibility for BASF's Coatings business in North America and global responsibility for the business' Automotive OEM Coatings unit. He will succeed Martin Laudenbach, who was named president of BASF's Fine Chemicals Global Business unit. Succeeding Blair as head of the Automotive OEM Coatings unit is Gerold Mahr, currently the director of BASF Coatings de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Raabe Corp. (Menomonee Falls, WI) has appointed Michael Conway to the position of sales manager, responsible for managing the custom fill and color match sales areas.

Paints & Solvents (Indianapolis) has hired the following individuals: Joe Todd, as manager of dealer/distributor accounts; Brian Gagne, who will work on quality control, new product testing and product reviews; Marty Stinson, as Indianapolis customer service representative; and Fred Rogers, as controller.

Dow Automotive (Auburn Hills, MI) has named five new vice presidents. Jane Palmieri has been named vice president, plastics and fluids; Kousay Said is vice president, sales and sales service; Paul Turner has been named vice president, sales and sales service; Jeff Tate is now vice president, finance; and Steve Henderson is now vice president, glass/plastic bonding.