Materials firm Valtris Specialty Chemicals has named Simon Medley as its new CEO.
Medley had been CEO of manufacturing firm Loparex LLC of Cary, N.C., since 2017. He has previous management experience with global materials firms Chemtura Corp. and BASF SE.
In a news release, Jack Norris, managing director with Valtris owner SK Capital, said that Medley's "proven track record and three decades of chemicals industry experience will be a great addition to Valtris."
"This is an exciting time for the company as it continues its progression towards becoming a world-class specialty additives business," Norris added. "[Medley's] industry know-how, demonstrated leadership and deep understanding of Valtris' markets make him an excellent leader for the company."
Medley said that he was "grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead Valtris through its next chapter of growth and transformation."
"I look forward to working in partnership with SK Capital and our Valtris colleagues to build on this sound business and unlock its full potential," he added.
Independence, Ohio-based Valtris makes polymer additives and specialty chemicals. The firm was carved out of the former Ferro Corp. in 2014. New York-based SK acquired Valtris from investment firm HIG Capital in May for an undisclosed price.
Valtris operates nine global manufacturing sites. Under HIG, the firm expanded its geographic reach and product portfolio through the acquisition of Akcros Chemicals in the U.S. and United Kingdom in 2016 and Ineos Enterprises business units in France, Belgium and the Netherlands in 2018.
As CEO, Medley is replacing Paul Angus, who had led Valtris since 2014 and who had been with predecessor Ferro since 1987.
SK's other plastics-related holdings include materials firms Ascend Performance Materials, Geon Performance Solutions and Deltech LLC and additives maker SI Group. On the packaging side, SK's portfolio includes thermoformer Lacerta Group and iPackchem Group, a global firm that makes packaging for crop protection and specialty chemicals.
Earlier this month, SK sold a majority stake in compounder and concentrate maker Techmer PM LLC of Clinton, Tenn., to private equity firm Gryphon Investors of San Francisco.