Lawrence is new CEO of Milacron

The board of directors of plastics processing technology supplier Milacron (Cincinnati, OH; www.milacron.com) has elected company and industry veteran David E. Lawrence as its new president and chief executive officer. A familiar face around the plastics business, he replaces Ronald D. Brown, the company’s CEO since 2001, who announced in April that he would retire by the end of 2008.

Lawrence has been in the plastics industry for 35 years, and for the past five years has been Milacron’s president of global mold technologies. He joined D-M-E, the global supplier of mold bases, hot runner systems, and other mold and molding components, in 1988 as a plant manager and progressed through several positions with increasing responsibility. Milacron acquired D-M-E in 1996.

Larry D. Yost, a long-tenured Milacron director and newly appointed chairman of the board, said he and the entire board have great confidence in Lawrence. “Dave has an extensive background and expertise in the plastics industry and he has consistently demonstrated strong leadership over the past several years.”

Yost also acknowledged the service of Ron Brown, citing “the dedication and leadership he has shown in his 28 years of outstanding service to Milacron.”

Lawrence holds a bachelor’s of business administration from Northwood University (Midland, MI).  He is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers and is active in the Society of the Plastics Industry, including serving as chairman of the global business committee and member of the Midwest board of directors.