People in Composites: January 2022

PRF Composite Materials appoints new managing director

PRF Composite Materials (Poole, Dorset, U.K.) has appointed Dave Ellson to managing director, an important step to support the company’s continued growth in the development of high-quality advance materials and providing exceptional service to customers.

With more than 30 years in the advanced materials industry, Ellson has extensive experience in quality assurance, purchasing and sales. After completing over a year as PRF’s head of operations, Ellson has shown leadership and passion for the things that PRF has always stood for: Innovation, quality and customer service.

Robert Burnell will remain in the company as CEO and COB, leading product development and innovation. Robert says of Dave’s appointment.

“PRF is a family business and I want to build on its solid foundations to grow a company where our people flourish, where focus is on our customers, and health and safety is paramount,” says Ellson. “I want to create a place of mutual benefit: PRF leading innovation and developing cutting-edge products that help our customers to succeed and for PRF to grow with their success — working in partnership together.”

Anne Hultgren joins IPS Adhesives as VP of sales and marketing

Anne Hultgren, IPS Adhesives VP of sales and marketing.

On Jan. 10, IPS Adhesives (IPSA, Durham, N.C., U.S.), a global supplier of structural and surfacing adhesive products, welcomed Anne Hultgren as VP of sales and marketing. Anne’s focus will be development and execution of IPSA’s global sales and marketing strategy. She will oversee the North American sales team and manufacturers’ representatives in the U.S.

Anne brings more than 20 years of experience to the IPSA team, including marketing and sales
leadership roles at Ingersoll Rand (Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.) and United Technologies (Waltham, Mass., U.S.), respectively. Most recently,
Anne served as director, Masco Operating System, at Masco Corp. (Livonia, Mich., U.S.), where she was responsible for driving commercial excellence and growth in 13 business units and corporate headquarters.

“Anne’s extensive experience will play a pivotal role as we continue to execute our growth strategy,” says Scott McDowell, president of IPSA. “She will be vital to helping us turn that strategy into successful business and financial results.”

“It is an exciting time to be joining the IPSA team,” Anne adds. “There is a great strategy in place, and I look forward to helping the team and our customer base grow.”

Anne has a BS in industrial engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Markforged completes leadership team with appointment of Andrew Hally as chief marketing officer

Markforged (Watertown, Mass, U.S.), has announced that Andrew Hally has been appointed CMO, effective Jan. 4, 2022. As a member of the company’s executive leadership team, Hally will be based in Markforged’s global headquarters in Watertown and report directly to Shai Terem, Markforged president and CEO.

Hally brings 25 years of deep, diverse technology marketing experience to this newly created role. As a results-driven, people-minded leader, Hally will oversee the company’s entire marketing operations from strategy and brand positioning, to demand generation, through all aspects of product and corporate marketing and communications. He will work cross-functionally across the business to align and amplify marketing efforts with Markforged’s accelerated growth plans and goals.

“The most interesting years of my early career combined hardware and software technology breakthroughs to accelerate 3D design and prototyping,” says Hally. “Today, the advance of 3D printing into end-use parts promises to transform manufacturing across industries, with benefits not only for engineers and firms but also for the environment and society. I’m honored and excited to join the team at Markforged to help realize this important vision.”

Hally joins Markforged from Bynder (Amsterdam, Netherlands), a global company in digital asset management, where as CMO he and his team scaled up pipeline generation, established customer marketing and formalized account-based marketing. Previously, he served as CMO at Allego (Waltham, Mass., U.S.), a sales enablement platform provider. He has also held marketing leadership positions at Massachusetts-based Cazena, Bullhorn, Unica and SensAble Technologies, where he says he first experienced the transformative power of 3D printing. Hally holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

“Every day, our team works enthusiastically because we believe in the potential of the Digital Forge and how it can reinvent manufacturing,” says Terem. “We are excited to welcome Andrew to our team to help harness the excitement to deliver this message to all of our stakeholders. As an innovative leader with experience leading marketing teams for high-growth companies, Andrew will help us ensure Markforged, and The Digital Forge, are seen as a critical player and thought leader in building the future of distributed manufacturing.”

GRP Solutions announces technical manager appointment

Tommi Buckley, GRP Solutions technical manager.

GRP Solutions (Portsmouth, U.K.) has announced the appointment of composite specialist Tommi Buckley in the newly created role of technical manager. Tommi joins the company with significant specialist knowledge of the manufacture of fiber/glass fiber-reinforced (FRP, GRP) products in the marine industry and beyond. He will be responsible for providing technical customer service and sales support across GRP Solutions’ expanding portfolio.

“I am thrilled to join the GRP Solutions team, whom I have had the opportunity to work with over several years in an advisory capacity,” says Buckley. “I am looking forward to delivering more technical solutions to our customers and contributing to the next stage of GRP Solutions growth.”

According to Lee Williamson, sales director of GRP Solutions, Buckley has been involved with the business in a consultancy role for nearly the whole period that the company has been trading and he is thrilled that Buckley has now joined on a permanent basis. “He has a wealth of marine and composite knowledge built up from many years in the industry,” Williamson notes. “Tommi also has a significant understanding of manufacturing processes and has developed excellent relationships with the technical teams of our key suppliers. His skillset will add immense value to our customers. We wish him much success in his new role.”

Firefly names Firefly Space Transport Services leader

Jason B. Mello, president of Firefly Space Transport Services (STS).

In November 2021, Firefly Aerospace Inc. (Cedar Park, Texas, U.S.) announced that Jason B. Mello will join the team as president of Firefly Space Transport Services (STS), formerly known as Firefly Black (Washington, D.C., U.S.). Firefly STS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace, will serve as the primary business development unit for all of Firefly’s customers — commercial, civil and military — with initial emphasis on government customers. A former Air Force Colonel, Mello brings more than 23 years of experience leading teams across the Department of Defense (DOD) and intelligence community.

”To date, the Firefly team has been focused on developing transformative launch and in-space transportation vehicles. With the recent first flight of our Alpha launch vehicle, and rapid developmental progress of our Blue Ghost lunar lander, Firefly is ready to provide unique transportation solutions spanning all cis-lunar space,” states Firefly Aerospace CEO Dr. Tom Markusic. “I’m excited to have Jason leading the effort to engage with customers to use Firefly vehicle capabilities to perform a wide variety of spaceflight missions.”

Prior to Firefly, Mello’s final assignment was at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), where he was the chief research and technology officer for science and engineering. In this role, he led a team of senior scientists directing a more than $500 million per year portfolio researching and developing future technologies vital for both the Air Force and Space Force. Before this posting, Mello served as the director of the National Intelligence Portfolio where he led the oversight team for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment overseeing a $9 billion-per-year portfolio of intelligence community programs. He has led at multiple levels including leading the first Launch Acquisition Division at the National Reconnaissance Office and multiple other satellite and intelligence programs.

“I am excited to lead and build Firefly STS to support both our government and commercial customers,” says Mello. “A focused team dedicated to working with the U.S. Space Force, DOD, the Intelligence Community and civil space is vitally important to meeting the government’s requirements for space access and in-space programs, and I am excited to showcase how Firefly’s capabilities will meet the needs of these organizations.”

Mello’s appointment follows several important milestones for the company including Firefly’s successful completion of its Blue Ghost CDR, in preparation for a 2023 mission that will deliver ten payloads to the lunar surface for NASA and the inaugural launch of the Alpha launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. As Firefly looks towards its next Alpha launch, and the continued development of the Blue Ghost lunar lander, Mello will build on Firefly’s existing relationships and oversee all customer development and programs for Firefly STS.

Loparex Group announces new leadership

Charmaine Riggins, Loparex Group’s new CEO.

Loparex LLC (Cary, N.C., U.S.), a global producer of release liners and engineered films, has named Charmaine Riggins as the Loparex Group’s new CEO, effective Jan. 10, 2022. Riggins previously held the position of chief talent and culture officer at the company. She succeeds Simon Medley, who has served as CEO since 2017.

“We are excited to have Charmaine in this role,” notes Martin Schwab, managing partner at Pamplona Capital Management (London, U.K.). “With extensive experience that includes technical, operations, sales and marketing, human resources and general management, she is uniquely suited to lead the organization as we give focus to safety, operational performance, growth and culture, to name a few. We are supportive of the business, proud of what it has achieved under Simon’s tenure, and look forward to supporting Charmaine and the rest of the Loparex management team in moving the company further forward.”

An experienced global executive, Charmaine Riggins joined the Loparex Group in 2021 after 26 years with the LORD Corp. (Dayton, Ohio, U.S.), a diversified technology and manufacturing company, and motion and control company Parker Hannifin Corp. (Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.). Her previous roles at Parker-LORD (LORD Corp. was acquired by Parker Hannifin in 2019_ involved executive business management, technology, finance, sales, operations, customer engagement, business development, strategy, marketing, human resources, compliance and integration leadership.

Riggins’ professional accomplishments have been recognized with the STEP Award for Women in Manufacturing in 2013 and the Don M. Altstadt Innovation Award in 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Ohio State University, an MBA from North Carolina State University with a major in innovation and supply chain management and an advanced management degree from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business Executive Education program. Passionate about children, education and addressing the ever-widening opportunity gap, Riggins is an active mentor and a committed volunteer in her community. She holds three non-profit Board positions with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

“I am delighted to continue this journey with Loparex,” Riggins says. “Loparex is a strong organization, and we have an exciting future as we continue to grow profitably and shape a strong and effective culture.”

Dr. Greg Mellema rejoins Abaris as director of operations

Dr. Greg M. Mellema, Abaris director of operations.

Abaris Training Resources Inc. (Reno, Nev., U.S.) announces that Dr. Greg M. Mellema has rejoined the organization as director of operations for the company worldwide; Greg was a full-time instructor at Abaris from 1998 to 2008. Dr. Mellema’s new responsibilities will consist of developing new curricula as well as overseeing existing course material, professional development of faculty and staff, managing and developing strategic partnerships, overseeing day-to-day training operations, supporting business development and conducting both funded and internal research.

Dr. Mellema is a career aircraft mechanic, combat veteran, teacher, author and subject matter expert in the manufacture and repair of advanced composite structures. He has more than 36 years of experience working on both manned and unmanned military and civilian aircraft with a special emphasis on advanced composite materials. Greg holds a B.S. degree in professional aeronautics, an M.S. in aeronautical science and a Ph.D. in aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has been an active Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic since 1988 and holds an Inspection Authorization (I.A.) from the FAA. While with the Nevada Army National Guard, Dr. Mellema served 16 months as shop chief for the Airframe Shop (Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan) during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF VI).

Recently, Dr. Mellema was an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, Ariz., U.S.) where he taught composite labs for engineering courses and advised students on senior capstone projects and funded research. Previously, he founded the U.S. Army’s Advanced Composites Lab at Redstone Arsenal in 2010. There he designed and built prototype advanced composite parts as well as modernizing composite repair tools, processes and procedures across all Army aviation platforms.

Exel Composites appoints new head of sales, Americas

Francesco Ierullo, regional head of sales for the Americas at Exel Composites.

Exel Composites (Mäntyharju, Finland) has appointed Francesco Ierullo to the role of regional head of sales for the Americas. As part of Exel’s global sales team, Ierullo will work closely with customers in the U.S. composites market to coordinate all activities and provide a focal point for contact while supporting business growth in the region. The appointment comes at a time when the company is looking to increase awareness of the benefits of pull-winding technology in the U.S.

Ierullo has worked in the composites market for the past decade and will bring his experience from working in the composites markets of Europe and Asia. His technical knowledge, obtained from working with composites across a wide range of market sectors and innovative applications, will be a great advantage for the U.S.-based team, Exel says, and benefit the large composites market in the Americas.

“The U.S. composites market is familiar with the benefits of pultrusion manufacturing, and now we are introducing it to the benefits of pull-winding technology, something Exel Composites is a world leader in,” explains Iurello. “Pull-winding, like pultrusion, is especially effective for mass production while delivering cost savings and consistent mechanical performance. Exel Composites has several decades experience in providing pull-wound composite solutions so is well placed to bring these solutions to the U.S. market where there are almost no companies using this production process.

As part of Exel’s growth strategy, the company is increasing its U.S. presence with the addition of two recently hired salespeople, in addition to Francesco. This will reportedly help it increase its market share in the region in a strategic, targeted manner. Exel’s U.S. factory, located in Erlanger, Kentucky, was acquired when Exel purchased carbon fiber pultruder Diversified Structural Composites (DSC) in 2018.

“Coming from a background as a mechanical engineer specializing in pultruded composites, Francesco is well placed to understand the technical and business needs of our customers and bring more knowledge to discussions. This bolsters our ability to help customers overcome any challenges in their sector,” concludes Olli Tevä, SVP and head of sales and marketing at Exel Composites. “By working closely with customers in the U.S. market and becoming a key point of contact for them, Francesco will help to ensure that we serve them as efficiently as possible, while helping to solve our customers’ challenges with composite solutions.”

Gurit proposes new member of the Board election

This month Gurit (Wattwil, Switzerland) has reported that Andreas Evertz will be proposed for election as member of the Board of Directors at the company’s Annual General Meeting on April 20, 2022.

Andreas Evertz is a German citizen and has been the CEO of the wind turbine systems supplier Flender (Bocholt, Germany) since 2020, with previous roles as CEO and president in global industrial companies such as Schenck Process Holding GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany), Sandvik Machining Solutions (Huddinge, Sweden) and Walter AG (Tübingen, Germany). Born in 1969, he holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of the German Federal Armed Forces in Hamburg.

It is proposed that Andreas Evertz will join the Board of Directors following the departure of Peter Leupp, current chairman of the Board. In line with the long-term succession plan announced in April 202, current Board member Rudolf Hadorn will stand for election as chairman of the Board of Directors. The number of Board Members will remain unchanged at six.

“With his track record in globally active industrial companies, Andreas Evertz would be a welcome addition to and perfect fit for the Board,” says Gurit’s chairman of the Board, Peter Leupp. “His professional and academic achievements align well with our strategic direction. His experience and knowledge in the wind industry will strengthen our current wind market position.”

KraussMaffei promotes president for North American headquarters

Nolan Strall, president of KraussMaffei Corp. North America.

KraussMaffei (Munich, Germany) has appointed Nolan Strall as the new president of KraussMaffei Corp. North America (KMC, Florence, Ken., U.S.), effective Jan. 1, 2022. He will report directly to Volker Nilles, executive VP, New Machines. In his new role, Strall will be responsible for all activity in North America including sales.   

Prior to this position, Strall served as VP of operations and digital and service solutions (DSS) for KMC. In this role, he was responsible for aligning the New Machines and DSS teams and processes, in order to ensure maximum efficiency and profitability of the organization, after the MIND transformation in June 2020. In his new role, he will remain a member of the DSS global management team.

Strall holds a Bachelor’s degree in industrial technology engineering, with a focus in manufacturing information systems technology, along with a minor in business administration from Ohio University. Prior to KMC, Strall held roles of increasing responsibility in the aerospace and general industry machine tool equipment market. Prior, he spent eight years with Siemens Industry (Munich, Germany) across multiple operating sites in various operational functional leadership positions.

“KraussMaffei has a rich German history of innovation and technology spanning over 180+ years, which initially attracted me to the opportunity with the KraussMaffei Corp. U.S. team in January 2020,” says Strall. “What I found through a very difficult year for the industry, and one of the biggest organizational changes in the companies history, is an incredible group of resilient, hardworking and dedicated individuals, who we have now galvanized as one strong KraussMaffei Corp. team for the future.  The team we are buidling here in Florence has a deep technical background in our core technologies, of course, but we’ve also added key leaders and intiatives in complimentary technologies, which will add new solutions for our exisiting customer base, as well as provide penetration into new markets.”

Also effective Jan. 4, 2022, John Fini will succeed Strall in the role of VP DSS for KMC. Fini comes to KMC from the Rehrig Pacific Co. (Vernon, Calif., U.S.), where he held roles of increasing responsibility over his 10+ year tenure, including project manager, plant manager and most recently, national reliability manager. “John brings a wealth of injection molding experience to the KMC Services Team, as well as an intimate understating of the needs of our customers, when it comes high value unique service and retrofit solutions,” adds Strall. “His ‘hands on’ technical background, sense of urgency and focus on growing leaders is exactly what we need to take our service team to the next level for our customers.”

After supporting Nolan and the KMC Team during a transition period, Charlie Rogers will leave KMC, effective Feb. 4, 2022.  Charlie led KMC through the challenges of 2020 and 2021, transitioning to the MIND organization and making a significant contribution to increasing KMC's profitability.

The company would like to thank Charlie for his accomplishments over the last years. Please join us in wishing him all the best for his future endeavors.