Matthew A. Harthcock, with significant accomplishments and experience in plastics, automotive, and aviation industries, has launched Solutions by Harthcock Associates. Dr. Harthcock is Founder and CEO. The business focuses on partnering with clients to bring significant value through business & R&D leadership enhancements, quality improvements, product development/innovative, and problem solving. Dr. Harthcock held leadership positions at The Dow Chemical Company, GE Plastics (Sabic), L&L Products (automotive & aviation supplier), and Schneller (a TransDigm company & aviation supplier). He holds degrees in chemistry - Ph.D. Texas A&M University and B.S. Missouri State University. Please see www.solutionsbyharthcock.com or contact him at (586) 242-3690 or [email protected]

M. Holland Company has appointed Michael Foldvary as director, distribution sourcing. In this role, Michael will be responsible for implementing sourcing strategies consistent with supplier objectives and developing methods to complement M. Holland’s distribution, specialty segment. Prior to joining M. Holland, Michael served in various sales and marketing management roles at BASF. Most recently, he served as BASF’s distribution business manager, where he provided sourcing direction and guidance on engineering plastics and thermoplastic polyurethane distribution.

Mike Szydlowski, Director of Southeastern America, proudly announces that Bluestar Mould, an injection mold manufacturer, has opened their Southeast USA office in Charlotte, North Carolina. This expansion is in addition to our engineering office in Detroit, MI. We now offer marketing, engineering & program management to the Southeast region. Along with building molds, Bluestar also offers injection molding capabilities. Bluestar has expanded due to an increased customer base, as well as the growth of plastic injection molding in the region. Mike Szydlowski can be reached at 248-495-0475 or [email protected].

Conventus Polymers LLC, a leading distributor of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, has announced the appointment of Paul Zema as application development engineer. He will oversee new business development with OEMs and molders in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.

Zema started as a bench chemist with Celanese and later worked in sales for GW Plastics. He also held sales positions with Daicel Polymers North America and LTL Color Compounders and was segment manager for Evonik Corp.

Zema earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an Associate Degree in Chemical Technology from Union County Technical Institute.

M. Holland Company has appointed Eugenio Calderón to the newly created position of vice president, international. Calderón, who will report to Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Dwight Morgan, will assume oversight of M. Holland’s existing international businesses in Mexico and Latin America while coordinating the international expansion of its Distribution and Resale business units. He will be based in the company’s Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters. Calderón joins M. Holland from Illinois Tool Works, where he served as vice president and general manager of its TIG Welding Solutions business.

KI Industries, Inc. announces that Matthew E. Skoda has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer effective April 15, 2019, succeeding Michael MacLean who was recently promoted to the role of President. Matt comes to KI with over 20 years of experience in various manufacturing and supply chain positions. Most recently, he held the position of Assistant Vice President Operations for dormakaba where he held a multi-site leadership role overseeing a $120m operation for the Lodging Segment.

Primex Plastics Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Garmon to the new position of national distribution manager. He will be responsible for growing existing distribution relationships, helping Primex's distributors maximize their potential and creating new avenues for Primex's products. Garmon has 20 years' experience in both sales and distribution, ten of which are in the plastic sheet industry. For the past ten years he has served in a similar role for Evonik Industries. Garmon will work from his office in Atlanta and can be reached at (678) 630-3465.

Commercial Operations Leader

Conventus Polymers LLC, a leading distributor of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, has appointed Christina Liu as Commercial Operations Leader. Liu, who will work out of the Houston office, brings a range of experience in business operations and commercial development. Liu has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, previously working for Sinopec, Satellite Petrochemical, and Tianyuan Petro Design. She earned her bachelor's degree in international business from the University of Houston. Her personal interests include scuba diving, working out, surfing, and hiking.

Territory Business Manager

Primex Plastics Corporation, the leader in custom extruded plastic sheet and roll products for thermoforming, fabrication and printing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Klarich to the position of territory business manager for W. Pennsylvania, E. Ohio, W. New York and Ontario. Klarich has extensive expertise in the plastics industry, with experience in both sales and as an application development engineer. He has worked closely with OEMs and processors in many markets in developing new applications and thermoplastic processes for injection molding and sheet extrusion.

Northeast Account Manager

Conventus Polymers LLC, a leading distributor of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, has announced the appointment of Paul Hedlund as Account Manager covering the Northeast region. Hedlund will be responsible for managing the existing client base and developing new business opportunities.

Hedlund has worked in both the manufacturing and business sectors, most notably with ADP and Experian. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. Hedlund enjoys travel, skiing, and hiking and has two college-aged sons.