Toray Plastics (America), Inc. Appoints Richard Schloesser, the Company's First American Executive Vice President


Three new General Managers and a Director of Sales and Marketing also announced

Promotions support Toray Industries Localization Program strategy

North Kingstown, RI (May 22, 2007)-Toray Plastics America, Inc., North America's only manufacturer of precision-performance, value-added polypropylene and polyester films, announces the appointment of Richard Schloesser to the position of Executive Vice President. Schloesser, a 17-year veteran with Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is the first American in the Japanese company's history to be appointed to that position. In his new role as Executive Vice President, and as part of Toray Industries' new Localization Program, a global growth strategy that calls for locally based management, Schloesser will provide unified American leadership to Toray Plastics (America), Inc., which includes the Torayfan® Division (polypropylene) and Lumirror® Division (polyester), and to the Virginia based Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division (olefin foams). Toray Plastics (America), Inc., founded in 1985, and Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division, founded in 1996, are subsidiaries of Toray Industries, the world leader in the manufacture of synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films, with annual sales exceeding US$12 billion.

Schloesser has served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Torayfan Division since 2002. He began his tenure with Toray Plastics (America), Inc. in 1990 as a Sales and Marketing Manager of that division and eventually held positions as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining Toray Plastics (America), Inc., Schloesser was with Exxon Mobil, including 13 years with the company's oil business and 10 years with the films division.

"We are honored by Rick Schloesser's dedication, enthusiastic leadership, extraordinary expertise, and the countless contributions he has made to the company and are very pleased to announce this well-deserved, historic appointment," says Kojiro Maeda, President, Toray Plastics (America), Inc. "Rick has consistently driven profitability and production efficiency and we are fortunate to have him guiding Toray Plastics (America), Inc. and Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division as we embark on this new journey."

The company also announces four other senior-level management promotions which will further support the Localization Program strategy and enhance growth initiatives.

Michael Brandmeier has been appointed Vice President and General Manager of the Torayfan Division, having previously served as Vice President. Brandmeier joined Toray Plastics (America), Inc. in 1995 as a Sales and Marketing Manager of the Torayfan Division after a long, successful career with Mobil Chemical Company's film division.

Scott Van Winter is now the Director and General Manager of the Lumirror Division, having been promoted from the position of Director of Sales and Marketing. Van Winter joined Toray Plastics (America), Inc. in 2004 with 14 years of experience in the plastic-film industry, immediately following a stint as Vice President of OPS Sheet and Specialty Films for Alcoa Kamma Company.

Jeffrey Lippy has been appointed General Manager of Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division. Lippy joined the PEF Division team in 1996 after nearly a decade with Tenneco Packaging (now PACTIV). Lippy has served the PEF Division in a variety of leadership positions, including General Manager and Director of Sales, as well as been President of the Toray Automotive Group of North America.

Christopher Roy has been named Director of Sales and Marketing of the Torayfan Division. He has been the division's Director of National Sales since 2005. Roy joined the Torayfan sales team in 1998 after seven successful years with Mid-America Plastics, Inc., where he eventually rose to become Vice President.

"Each executive involved in the additional promotions brings a wealth of experience which will be invaluable to our immediate and long-term success," says Maeda.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. is a leading manufacturer of polyester and polypropylene films for flexible and rigid packaging, lidding, graphic, industrial, optical, and electronic applications. Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division is a leading manufacturer of crosslinked olefin foams. The Toraypef® brand leads the market in olefin foam products for the automotive and flooring industries. Both companies are subsidiaries of Toray Industries, Inc., the world leader in the manufacture of synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films. Annual sales exceed US$12 billion.

Visit the Toray Plastics (America), Inc. Web site at www.TorayFilms.com. Visit the Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division web site at www.TorayFoam.com.

For more information about Toray Plastics (America), Inc.'s entire line of polyester and polypropylene films, contact Eric Bartholomay, Product Development Manager, at eric.bartholomay@toraytpa.com.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. is located at 50 Belver Avenue, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7500, telephone: 401-294-4511, fax 401-294-1480.

For more information about Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division's line of olefin foams, contact Jodie Knight, Marketing Team Leader, at Jodie.Knight@toraytpa.com.

Toray Plastics (America) PEF Division is located at 500 Toray Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630, telephone 1-888-TORAYPEF, fax 540-631-2888.

All Topics