Prior to this assignment, Zappitelli had been BMCI's executive VP for R&D and purchasing. "Fran brings a deep base of experience with BMCI products, customers and applications to this role. He also has an excellent track record of generating strong business results. Fran is a great fit to lead BMCI as we drive future growth in new products and applications," stated Mike Huff, CEO of Citadel Plastics Holdings Inc.

Previous to joining BMCI in 1980, Mr. Zappitelli was employed by Premix, Inc. He holds a BS in Chemistry from Bowling Green State University in 1977. In 1987 he obtained an MBA from Northern Illinois University.

BMCI, which calls itself the world's leading producer of thermoset bulk molding compounds, serves the automotive, electrical, consumer appliance, power tool, and conductive plastic industries. Proven for metal replacement, BMCI says its products are especially well suited for structural applications where heat and mechanical load are relevant. BMCI has two manufacturing sites in the U.S., and facilities in Mexico, Germany, China, and Brazil.

Chicago-based Citadel, which was formed in 2007 with the objective of building a global plastics compounding business, acquired BMCI in 2008, prior to which Zappitelli was one of the original equity investors in Citadel. In his new position, Zappitelli will report to Huff. The Chicago-based private equity investment firm Wind Point Partners is the majority owner of Citadel Plastics Holdings.

Citadel's other acquisitions include: thermoplastics compounder The Matrixx Group (2007), Canadian thermoplastics compounder ACLO (2008), thermoset compounder Meridian do Brasil in Brazil (2009), thermoplastics compounder Fiberfil Engineered Plastics (2009), and custom compounder QTR (2010). —PlasticsToday Staff