Names in the news: Milacron, DME, GN Thermoforming, Davis-Standard, ICC, Citadel Plastics, and Bulk Molding Compounds

Milacron LLC (Cincinnati, OH) has appointed Richard A. O'Leary as its corporate VP and chief human resources officer. In a release, the supplier of plastics processing machinery and mold components described O'Leary as an "accomplished organizational development expert and counseling psychologist." In addition to presenting at conferences worldwide on business transformation, innovation, inclusion and best practices in human resources, O'Leary has served on the boards of the Best Practice Institute, a think tank dedicated to innovative practices in leadership and management, and The Conference Board's Executive Council for Talent and Organizational Development, a forum for executive-level leaders of talent development, organizational development and learning. O'Leary joins Milacron LLC from Iris International Inc., a manufacturer of automated diagnostic systems and consumable products for use in hospitals and laboratories.

Milacron subsidiary DME (Madison Heights, MI) has named Tom Swierz, a 32-year industry veteran with Republic Steel, as plant manager for its Youngwood, PA manufacturing operations. Swierz background in steel manufacturing includes stints with Republic Steel, a North American steel manufacturing company with facilities in Canton, Lorain and Massillon, OH, as well as Lackawanna, NY; Gary, IN; and Hamilton, ON. Swierz's new role with DME coincides with the company's 2013 investment of millions of dollars in leading edge manufacturing equipment.

GN Thermoforming Equipment (Chester, Nova Scotia) has appointed Matthew Knight as technical services manager. Knight, a 14-year plastics industry veteran, has relocated from the U.K. to GN's manufacturing headquarters in Chester. Knight will oversee the technical services team in Canada and the Czech Republic for the manufacturer of servodriven, roll-fed thermoforming machines for production of food packaging. Knight has worked in various managerial roles and has led extensive operator training programs at various locations. Knight previous roles have included process operator, production shift supervisor, and other process management roles.

Davis-Standard LLC (Pawcatuck, CT) has appointed Todd Pearson to the position of Managing Director - Europe. Pearson will be responsible for managing Davis-Standard operations in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. He has also been appointed Managing Director of Davis-Standard's German subsidiary ER-WE-PA GmbH. Previously, Pearson served as VP of Global Operational Excellence. Prior to joining Davis-Standard, he spent more than two years in Germany working for Belden Inc. Additional previous experience includes roles in lean manufacturing management at Chrysler LLC and Danaher Corp. Pearson replaces Andreas Kandt.

Blaise Sarcone has been named president and chief financial officer of ICC Industries Inc. Sarcone has served since 2009 as president of ICC's Manufacturing Group and CFO of ICC Industries, and previously as ICC's Executive Vice President & CFO.  He joined the company in 2002 as corporate controller. The ICC Group of companies is a privately held, $3 billion New York City-based concern with 13 manufacturing locations and more than 25 offices and representatives worldwide. Its operating companies include ICC Chemical, a global chemicals trading and distribution company; Primex Plastics and its subsidiaries O'Neil Color and Compounding Corp. and Woodruff Corp., manufacturers of extruded and co-extruded plastic sheet and color and other additives for the plastics industry, among others.

Citadel Plastics Holdings Inc. has named Steve Pittman as president of Bulk Molding Compounds Inc. (BMCI), its thermoset division. Pittman's past experience includes stints with GE Plastics, Eastman Chemical, FedEx and most recently as the VP and general manager for GE Capital, Trailer Fleet Services. Citadel also announced that Pratik Shah has been hired as market development manager focused on the oil, gas and mining sectors for BMCI. Shah was most recently responsible for developing and commercializing high-pressure plastic piping, intended to replace steel with composite as the functional material.