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November 25, 2019

PFA Fall Meeting Highlights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Polyurethane Foam Association Fall Meeting Provides Forum For
Issues Discussion, Technical Advances

Jake Barnhardt Inducted Into The Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall Of Fame

LOUISVILLE, KY (November 19, 2019)—The Polyurethane Foam
Association (PFA) recently concluded its fall meeting, which
spotlighted key regulatory issues and new technical developments.
PFA’s two-day meeting in early November was attended by more than
150 executives from foam manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and other
companies supporting the industry. Attendees saw presentations on
key industry issues including recycling, flammability, and regulatory
developments.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Sharon Kerrick of the University of Louisville
Business School, shared insights on how established companies in
mature industries continue to innovate. She was joined by executives
fromby Yum! Brands and Brown-Forman, both of which are
headquartered in Louisville.

In addition, a Technical Program featured presentations on innovations
and best practices on topics ranging from bismuth catalysts, additives to
minimize compression set, pour line technologies, plant security, and a
recent CertiPUR ® evaluation of VOC emissions from foam in Europe.
Jane Kniss of Evonik won the Herman Stone Technical Excellence
Award, as her technical presentation was voted best by those attending
the Technical Program. “The quality of the technical presentations was
exceptional this year,” noted Bill Gollnitz, Past President of PFA and
Moderator for the Technical Program. “Congratulations to Jane for
standing out in a prestigious field.”

Copies of the technical proceedings are included in registration fees for all attendees, and will
soon be made available for order at www.pfa.org.)

PFA also recognized three individuals for outstanding accomplishments in the flexible
polyurethane foam industry.  Van Delk of Dow Chemical and Tom Robitaille of Lonza were honored with Lifetime
Achievement Awards, while Jacob “Jake” Barnhardt, Jr., longtime President of NCFI
Polyurethanes, was inducted into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barnhardt

Barnhardt began his more than 50-year career in the industry in 1964, when he became part of
the management team of the newly-formed North Carolina Foam Industries, now NCFI
Polyurethanes. NCFI perfected the “one shot” flexible foam manufacturing process that is the
industry standard today, and expanded its business to include technologies that found their way
into far-flung applications including the Space Shuttle. Barnhardt was at the first meeting that led
to the creation of PFA, and was a long-time supporter of the organization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robitaille

Robitaille’s 36-year career in the flexible polyurethane
foam industry included numerous technical achievements, including patents in the application of
lasers and for novel uses of antimicrobial compounds for commercial and industrial use. Many of
his applications can be found in common household items and footwear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delk

Delk spent more than 33 years at Dow, working as a Technical Service Manager. He was widely
recognized among Dow customers for his technical expertise among Dow customers, and as a
teacher and a mentor within the company.

“PFA is focused not only on the future, but it also recognizes the contributions of people who
have led the industry to where it is today,” said Chip Holton of NCFI Polyurethanes, PFA’s
President.

The Polyurethane Foam Association is a trade association founded in 1980 to help educate foam
users, allied industries and other stakeholders. PFA provides facts on environmental, health and
safety issues and technical information on the performance of FPF in consumer and industrial
products. FPF is used as a key comfort component in most upholstered furniture and mattress
products, along with automotive seating, carpet cushion, packaging, and numerous other
applications.

 

www.pfa.org

November 1, 2019

New Spokesperson for CertiPUR-US® Program

Nationally Acclaimed Consumer Advocate Elisabeth Leamy Becomes Spokesperson for CertiPUR-US® Program

 

 

 

 

 

(November 1, 2019) CertiPUR-US®, a certification program for flexible polyurethane foam used in bedding and upholstered furniture, welcomes Elisabeth Leamy, a 13-time Emmy-award-winning journalist and consumer advocate, as the spokesperson for its national publicity campaign. The campaign recently conducted a satellite media tour that resulted in Leamy’s interview airing on TV news broadcasts in more than 20 markets—gaining consumer awareness for the benefits of purchasing products containing certified foam.

Leamy is a 25-year consumer advocate who has appeared on programs such as “Good Morning America” and “The Dr. Oz Show.” In addition to her Emmys, she has been honored with four Edward R. Murrow awards for her work educating consumers on a variety of issues. She has written two critically acclaimed books, “Save Big: Cut Your Top 5 Costs and Save Thousands” an d “The Savvy Consumer: How to Avoid Scams and Rip-Offs that Cost You Time and Money.”

Her advocacy of the CertiPUR-US® program began after writing about the foam certification program in an article on how to choose a mattress for the Washington Post in her role as consumer columnist for the newspaper.

“I was so impressed with what this nonprofit group is doing for consumers that I partnered with them to try to help get the word out,” Leamy explains.

Additional coverage on TV news stations and other media outlets is planned for 2020. Read Leamy’s blog post on how to get a safer night’s sleep at www.certipur.us/safersleep.

# # # #

 

Media contact:

Helen Sullivan hsullivan@certipur.us 703 606 7622

November 1, 2019

New Spokesperson for CertiPUR-US® Program

Nationally Acclaimed Consumer Advocate Elisabeth Leamy Becomes Spokesperson for CertiPUR-US® Program

 

 

 

 

 

(November 1, 2019) CertiPUR-US®, a certification program for flexible polyurethane foam used in bedding and upholstered furniture, welcomes Elisabeth Leamy, a 13-time Emmy-award-winning journalist and consumer advocate, as the spokesperson for its national publicity campaign. The campaign recently conducted a satellite media tour that resulted in Leamy’s interview airing on TV news broadcasts in more than 20 markets—gaining consumer awareness for the benefits of purchasing products containing certified foam.

Leamy is a 25-year consumer advocate who has appeared on programs such as “Good Morning America” and “The Dr. Oz Show.” In addition to her Emmys, she has been honored with four Edward R. Murrow awards for her work educating consumers on a variety of issues. She has written two critically acclaimed books, “Save Big: Cut Your Top 5 Costs and Save Thousands” an d “The Savvy Consumer: How to Avoid Scams and Rip-Offs that Cost You Time and Money.”

Her advocacy of the CertiPUR-US® program began after writing about the foam certification program in an article on how to choose a mattress for the Washington Post in her role as consumer columnist for the newspaper.

“I was so impressed with what this nonprofit group is doing for consumers that I partnered with them to try to help get the word out,” Leamy explains.

Additional coverage on TV news stations and other media outlets is planned for 2020. Read Leamy’s blog post on how to get a safer night’s sleep at www.certipur.us/safersleep.

# # # #

 

Media contact:

Helen Sullivan hsullivan@certipur.us 703 606 7622

October 12, 2019

Getting the Band Back Together

Fitz Chem Appoints New Leadership for Industrial Chemicals

Names-467607423.jpg
October 11, 2019

ITASCA, IL – Chemical distributor Fitz Chem-Nagase Group has appointed Tom Downing to a newly developed role as Director of New Supplier Development. In this role, Downing will evaluate new suppliers to identify strategic matches for Fitz Chem’s product portfolio, manage select Fitz Chem suppliers, and oversee management of proprietary Fitz Chem produced products.

Downing has served as Fitz Chem’s Director of Sales-North for the past three years. Prior to joining Fitz Chem, he had extensive experience in leadership roles in both manufacturing and distribution management. “Tom will play a critical role in Fitz Chem-Nagase Group’s strategy to expand our sales model in both geography and product portfolio width. His understanding of the distribution market and competitive manufacturing landscape make him a key asset in our approach to this strategy,” said Robert Milano, Fitz Chem-Nagase Group’s Director of Supplier Management.

Concurrent with this appointment, Fitz Chem announced the appointment of Ian Giloth to the position of Director of Sales-North, continuing the positive momentum of leadership and growth in industrial chemicals. Giloth recently served as Sr. Manager – Marketing & Sales, Base Chemicals, for Sasol Chemicals North America and before that was a Sr. Account Manager – Performance Urethane Polyols at Monument Chemical LLC. Prior to his chemical manufacturing career, he had an extensive background in distribution with Univar and Chemcentral, occupying several key sales management roles and culminating with his final position in business development, where he was responsible for key supplier negotiations and relationships.

“We are thrilled to have Ian onboard as the newest member of our leadership team,” said Al Bernhardt, Vice President of Industrial Chemicals. “His broad experience in the chemical industry in sales and supplier management coupled with his extensive background in distribution with Chemcentral and Univar, Ian is an excellent leadership fit for Fitz Chem-Nagase Group as we progress our specialty selling approach in the marketplace”.

Fitz Chem is a member of the NAGASE Group, a leader in innovative solutions for the chemicals, plastics, electronics, life sciences and automotive markets.

https://www.pcimag.com/articles/106663-fitz-chem-appoints-new-leadership-for-industrial-chemicals

October 12, 2019

Getting the Band Back Together

Fitz Chem Appoints New Leadership for Industrial Chemicals

Names-467607423.jpg
October 11, 2019

ITASCA, IL – Chemical distributor Fitz Chem-Nagase Group has appointed Tom Downing to a newly developed role as Director of New Supplier Development. In this role, Downing will evaluate new suppliers to identify strategic matches for Fitz Chem’s product portfolio, manage select Fitz Chem suppliers, and oversee management of proprietary Fitz Chem produced products.

Downing has served as Fitz Chem’s Director of Sales-North for the past three years. Prior to joining Fitz Chem, he had extensive experience in leadership roles in both manufacturing and distribution management. “Tom will play a critical role in Fitz Chem-Nagase Group’s strategy to expand our sales model in both geography and product portfolio width. His understanding of the distribution market and competitive manufacturing landscape make him a key asset in our approach to this strategy,” said Robert Milano, Fitz Chem-Nagase Group’s Director of Supplier Management.

Concurrent with this appointment, Fitz Chem announced the appointment of Ian Giloth to the position of Director of Sales-North, continuing the positive momentum of leadership and growth in industrial chemicals. Giloth recently served as Sr. Manager – Marketing & Sales, Base Chemicals, for Sasol Chemicals North America and before that was a Sr. Account Manager – Performance Urethane Polyols at Monument Chemical LLC. Prior to his chemical manufacturing career, he had an extensive background in distribution with Univar and Chemcentral, occupying several key sales management roles and culminating with his final position in business development, where he was responsible for key supplier negotiations and relationships.

“We are thrilled to have Ian onboard as the newest member of our leadership team,” said Al Bernhardt, Vice President of Industrial Chemicals. “His broad experience in the chemical industry in sales and supplier management coupled with his extensive background in distribution with Chemcentral and Univar, Ian is an excellent leadership fit for Fitz Chem-Nagase Group as we progress our specialty selling approach in the marketplace”.

Fitz Chem is a member of the NAGASE Group, a leader in innovative solutions for the chemicals, plastics, electronics, life sciences and automotive markets.

https://www.pcimag.com/articles/106663-fitz-chem-appoints-new-leadership-for-industrial-chemicals