Master Builders Announces New Organizational Structure, Adoption Of Degussa Name

Master Builders, Inc. has adopted Degussa Admixtures, Inc. as the company name and has announced changes in the organization designed to more closely align company resources and services with the changing needs of customers, and address the on-going evolution of the concrete construction marketplace. Four sales divisions have been established to move decision-making closer to the market, layers of management have been compressed to ensure greater customer response, and new senior management positions have been created for strategic business development.

"These changes are the result of an aggressive business improvement initiative we began last year, studying all aspects of our organization to help us optimize the products and services we offer and how we get that offering out to the marketplace. Extensive interviews with customers and industry leaders helped us shape what we believe is a stronger, more agile structure positioned to provide outstanding service and support that is valued in the marketplace," explained Mike Shydlowski, President and CEO. "Our transition to the Degussa Admixtures, Inc. name signifies our alignment and synergy with the strengths and commitment of our parent organization, and promotes the Master Builders brand as a strategic part of the global Degussa Construction Chemicals organization."

Degussa Admixtures, Inc. continues to offer the complete line of respected Master Builders brand admixture solutions, such as Glenium*, PolyHeed*, Chromix* L, Pozzolith*, Rheomac*, Rheocrete*, and others with a sales and support organization that numbers nearly 500. The sales group is now divided into four distinct geographic areas, with six key leadership positions that comprise the senior sales management team, all under the direction of Mike Shydlowski, President & CEO, functioning in a dual role as the interim head of sales. Ray Minnillo will continue to direct the sales efforts in the Western United States as Sales Director – West. John Brooks, who served most recently as Sales Manager for the company in Seattle, WA, has accepted the position of Sales Director - Central. John Malcolm, most recently Sales Manager in Baltimore, MD, will take on the role of Sales Director - East. A new Canadian sales and support team has been formed to specifically address the needs of the Canadian marketplace. Mike Rispin, with the company since 1996, has been appointed Sales Director – Canada, and he will also continue to lead the company's underground construction efforts. Matt McGlone, formerly Eastern Business Group Manager, will transition to the role of Sales Director – Strategic Accounts, and David Henson, most recently Business Services Director for the Central Business Group, will become Sales Director – Business Services, for all of the United States and Canada.

In early May, the company announced the creation of a new functional group dedicated to the rapid development and introduction of advanced admixture technologies. A Performance Management Group has been established to provide ongoing measurement of the company's performance and facilitate best practices throughout the organization through training and other outreach efforts. A Technology Innovation & Sustainability Group, combining the talents and expertise of the company's Research & Development and Marketing functions, has been created to focus on translating customer needs into specific new product development, product launch and expediting new technology acceptance in the marketplace.

Three key management positions have been announced in the Technology Innovation & Sustainability Group, led by Chuck Soeder, Vice President. Brad Violetta, formerly Executive Director of Marketing, and Kenneth Kruse, most recently Central Business Group Manager, have been appointed Industry Directors responsible for leading the development and marketing of the company's products and solutions to the ready mixed concrete, precast, manufactured concrete products and paving markets. Tate Coverdale, formerly Director of Product Technologies, has been appointed Technology Director, guiding the company's efforts in product development and ensuring speed to market and rapid acceptance of new technologies.

"Degussa Admixtures, Inc. is now positioned to bring the value of the Master Builders admixtures brands to market quickly and efficiently and is focused on providing the solutions that will help the concrete industry expand market share and leverage growth opportunities in a new competitive environment," Mr. Shydlowski explained. "We will develop and market the latest technology to improve concrete and will work with our customers to make concrete the building material of choice for the 21st century. With new offerings, such as Self-Consolidating Concrete, integral color, next generation Glenium-based high-range and mid-range water-reducers, 4x4 Concrete, and by leveraging our ability to manipulate chemicals at the molecular level, I believe we can achieve that goal."

Source: Master Builders, Inc.