Two materials industry veterans have new roles at Star Thermoplastic Alloys and Rubbers Inc.
Krishna Venkataswamy has been appointed executive vice president of business development. In this newly created role, he'll lead business development, marketing and innovation, officials with Broadview, Ill.-based Star said in a Dec. 17 news release.
Venkataswamy joined Star in January 2019 as vice president of business development and technical marketing.
In a Dec. 18 phone interview, Venkataswamy said that Star "has a lot of plans underway."
"We're looking at everything where TPEs go, whether it's transportation, medical, consumer or electronics," he added. "We have customers in everything from sporting goods to pet toys, and we're big in automotive."
Star employs between 60 and 80 and generates most of its sales from North America, although Venkataswamy said the firm currently is working on projects involving Europe and Australia.
Venkataswamy has more than 30 years of industry experience, including stints at materials firms Interface Performance Materials and PolyOne Corp. He's received numerous honors during his career, including the Society of Plastics Engineers' Research & Engineering Technology Award in 2012 and the SPE Fellow Award in 2006.
Star officials said that Venkataswamy "brings a strong domain expertise, passion for innovation and visionary leadership to the organization."