November names in the news: Changes at Milacron, Starlinger, and Axel

Milacron taps Schley for China; Woerner focused on India
Gerold Schley, since 2006 the plastics processing machinery manufacturer’s VP of global sourcing, will be wearing another hat as he takes on the role of VP for operations in China. Jay Woerner, previously VP for Asian operations at Milacron LLC (Batavia, OH), now will focus on India.

Schley’s job entails responsibility for all of the company's plastics machinery businesses in China, including Milacron Marketing – China, as well as the company's joint venture in Jiangyin with Jiangnan Mould & Plastic Technology Co. Ltd. (JMP), a processor and moldmaker which specializes in molding for the automotive industry. That JV has existed since 2006.

In a related action, Milacron named Jay Woerner VP of India operations, turning his focus exclusively on the company's plastics machinery operations in that country and region. Ferromatik Milacron India Ltd. (Ahmedabad) is a Milacron joint venture with the Mahendra Petal family. That JV claims an installed base in the country of about 3000 presses, and at the Plastindia tradeshow in February 2009 exhibited its first all-electric machine.

Schley and Woerner both report to David Lawrence, president worldwide plastics and of the company’s DME Company LLC.

Sven Wolf takes over at Starlinger
At Starlinger & Co. GmbH (Weissenbach, Austria), a manufacturer of machinery for flexible woven plastic packaging and PET recycling and refinement, there has been a change in management. Richard Müssler has decided to resign from the company’s management. Sven Wolf, whose career has included positions as managing director of extruder manufacturer Theysohn and of extrusion tooling/downstream equipment manufacturer Technoplast, has been appointed managing director and will take over the technical management of the firm.
 
Müssler will remain with the company until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.


Changing of the guard at Axel

There is a new Axel at the head of Axel Plastics Research Laboratories (Woodside, NY), a supplier of mold releases and process aid additives, as Frank Axel is making room for the third generation of his family. Jacob (Jake) Axel was named president, effective November 1, 2009, with his father Frank remaining with the company as chairman and CEO.
 
“During his five-year tenure with the company, Jake has proven his intelligence and leadership, making instrumental decisions and tackling difficult problems in the face of challenging worldwide economic conditions; so it is with both a father’s pride, and also executive confidence, that I have appointed Jake to the position of president of Axel,” said Frank Axel in a statement released by the company. —[email protected]