Names in the News: In Memoriam — Neil Kruschke Jr.; Berlin Packaging, PCC and Matsuura / Methods

The official statement regarding Neil's death, penned by his brother Donald, mourns the loss while drawing attention to the life he lived, as a successful businessman and as a philanthropist.

In other, more upbeat news, Chicago-based Berlin Packaging, a processor of plastic, glass, and metal containers and closures, hired Richard Chapman as its VP, supply chain.  He will lead all aspects of Berlin Packaging's domestic and global material sourcing and purchasing, supplier relationships, Berlin's Quality and ISO initiatives, and product development programs.  He will also assist with the integration of future acquisitions. Chapman comes to Berlin Packaging from HAVI Global Solutions where he was senior director of strategic sourcing. Prior to his time with HAVI Global Solutions, Chapman served as category director of packaging for Kraft Foods North America, responsible for food packaging spend. 

PCC (Plastics Color Corp.; Calumet City, IL), a supplier of color concentrates, compounds and additive masterbatches for the plastics industry, Timothy Workman has been promoted to vice president of business development from his previous position of business development manager. Workman joined Plastics Color last July. His role has been the strategic integration of sales and marketing, along with the development of PCC's North Carolina Solutions Center. In his new position, he will oversee PCC's R&D efforts, the integration of the recently acquired Plastics Distribution Corporation (formerly Polysource LLC), expansion of PCC's liquid color business, investigation of potential acquisitions, and other business growth initiatives.
 
PCC also announced the appointment of Fred Jhaveri to the position of global technology manager. Jhaveri has more than 16 years of experience in the color concentrate business, as well as experience in the pigment and plastic processing industries.
 
Jhaveri will coordinate all of PCC's technology initiatives to ensure quality and consistency in its four plants.

Methods Machine Tools Inc. and Matsuura Machinery Corporation announced a new appointment for Matsuura in the U.S. as John Schwartz has been hired by Matsuura as its product manager in the U.S., a newly created position to support increased demand for Matsuura products. Methods Machine Tools supplies precision machine tools, automation and accessories, and is the exclusive importer of Matsuura machines in the U.S market. Matsuura manufactures high-speed and 5-xxis machining centers and has installed approximately 9000 Matsuura machines in the U.S.