Volume 43, Issue 1 - January 2008
Volume 43, Issue 1 - January 2008
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Company News Bankruptcy Court Confirms Solutia Inc. in St. Louis has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has confirmed its plan of reorganization. “While this has been a long process, we have used our time in Chapter 11 to truly transform and revitalize Solutia—shaping a strong portfolio of businesses, shedding $1.3 billion in liabilities and growing the company by $1 billion in sales while more than doubling our earnings,” says Jeffry N. Quinn, chairperson, president and chief executive officer of Solutia. “We will emerge from Chapter 11 as a growing, vibrant company that is positioned for success.” Quinn adds, “We are pleased to have gained confirmation of a plan of reorganization that was supported by all of the major constituents in our case and that provides for significant creditor recoveries.” The company anticipates that the reorganization plan will become effective by the end of January. www.solutia.com YKK AP Expands with New Territories on the Gulf Coast Joining YKK AP is the company’s first architectural sales representative in the area. Keith Hocutt will represent the brand in the region by servicing the architectural and contract glazing communities. www.ykkap.com Sekisui Holds Grand Opening for New Plant in Kentucky Metalcrafters Sets Its Sights on Architectural Glass Market The company, which made a name for itself over the last 15 years by building—and producing the windshields of—such concept cars as the Dodge Viper, FJ Cruiser and Dodge Demon, has now set its sights on the architectural glass industry. George Gaffoglio, chief executive officer of Metalcrafters, says the jump isn’t too different from when the company first branched out to developing windshields for jetliners and trains. “I’m hoping to explore the opportunities [in architectural glass],” Gaffoglio says. “When we started talking about aerospace glass two or three years ago, we hadn’t done any aerospace glass at all and today we have 14 different production programs already approved. Just because we haven’t done any architectural work doesn’t mean that perhaps we couldn’t have something in place.” According to Gaffoglio, Metalcrafters already has in place strong design and engineering departments prepared to take on the unique needs of the architectural glass community, as well the necessary equipment. Gaffoglio says one of the advantages Metalcrafters can offer to its customers is flexibility in production. “[With] bigger glass companies, if you need one or two panels of glass, it will be probably be very difficult to find a supplier that can do that. Most companies, if you don’t have a run of a couple of thousand of this, or 5,000 of that, they probably won’t even talk to you. That’s an area where we can specialize.” Truth Allies with U.S. Sales Rep Network PPG Adds Certified Applicators The PPG certification covers three different industry standards for architectural metal finishes, established by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). PPG/CAP applicators undergo an auditing process that encompass all aspects of the coating process, from cleaning and pre-treating of the metal substrate to the actual application of the coating. The audit also specifies paint application parameters and cure schedules and how finished products should be handled, packed and shipped. Continuous training and education also are components of the program. PPG/CAP protocols are intended to help minimize color variance across coated aluminum building components. www.ppg.com
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