Raute Corp.’s Board of Directors has appointed Mika Saariaho as the new President and CEO beginning in late November. He will join Raute from Metso Outotec Corp. where he holds the position of Senior Vice President. Saariaho succeeds Tapani Kiiski who left his position by mutual agreement. Kiiski had been Raute President and CEO since 2004.

“After such a long history with the company, leaving this position is naturally bittersweet. The years have been filled with many challenges and successes,” Kiiski comments.

Saariaho has more than 20 years of experience and a solid track record in international business, especially in technology companies. Prior to the formation of Metso Outotec, he worked in various leadership roles at Metso and Outotec and previous worked worked for the World Steel Assn., Outokumpu and McKinsey. He was born in 1973 and is a Doctor of Science (Technology).

“We believe that Raute will be welcoming an excellent new President and CEO in Mika Saariaho. Mika’s extensive experience and competence provide him with an excellent foundation from which to take on this new position and to lead Raute along a profitable path,” says Raute Chair of the Board of Directors Laura Raitio.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Petri Strengell is acting as interim President and CEO until Saariaho takes over the position. Thereafter, Strengell will continue in his role as COO and member of the company’s Executive Board.

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Bakelite Synthetics has completed the previously announced acquisition of Georgia-Pacific’s chemicals business (Georgia-Pacific Chemicals). With this acquisition, and after more than 100 years of development through legacy companies as a global phenolics leader, Bakelite Synthetics adds to its strong portfolio of products, brand and customers, as well as building on its growth strategy of delivering innovative solutions to customers in a sustainable manner.

Georgia-Pacific Chemicals brings with it complementary resin and formaldehyde technology and end markets in the building materials, transportation, industrial, chemical intermediate and specialty resins space. This acquisition includes 11 chemical facilities employing approximately 600 in the U.S. and South America.

The company’s new headquarters will be based in Atlanta, Ga., and the combined company will consist of 1,500 associates and 21 manufacturing sites operating in 10 countries.

States Industries LLC, Eugene, Ore., and the handling equipment machinery company, Biele Group, have successfully implemented their first project collaboration consisting of an automatic line to produce hardwood plywood panels, up to 10 ft. in length, through a short cycle multi-opening press.

The project consists of fully automatic handling and cleaning of the substrate, gluing on top and bottom surfaces, and semi-automatic layup of top and bottom hardwood veneers that then feed the four-opening press.

Behind the press, the line is also cleaning the overhanging veneer of the panels without any trimming of the substrate and includes a vertical putty section in case panels need to be repaired before stacking. All these processes are completed continuously without stops.

By means of a customized design of the system, Biele accommodated the required process in the available floor space, adapting to the needs of States Industries.

The investment was a strategic move by States Industries LLC, and having brought the new line into operation early in 2021, the Eugene-based company has increased its production capacity of high value panels as well as product quality from a wide array of panel sizes, substrates, hardwood veneers, and order quantities.

FLAMEX Inc. announced Tony Thomas as its new President, succeeding Allen Wagoner after 13 years at that post. Thomas has been with the company for almost 32 years and has been serving as Vice President.

Ed Pridgen assumes the role as Vice President in addition to his position as MINFOG Product Manager.

“This change in leadership will no doubt prove to be a very positive step for FLAMEX as these highly capable gentlemen will bring a new vision and direction to our company,” comments Wagoner. “It has been my honor and privilege to have been able to play a role in the management of our company and I look forward to remaining with the organization for an indefinite period of time to serve at the pleasure, and in support of, the new management.”

Hexion Holdings Corp. has entered into an agreement to be acquired by affiliates of American Securities LLC. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2022, following and conditioned upon the closing of the company’s previously announced sale of its epoxy business to Westlake Chemical Corp.

Hexion remains a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials that enable the production of engineered wood products and other growing specialty materials. The company has 27 manufacturing facilities globally and 1,300 employees.

Craig Rogerson, Chairman, President and CEO, comments, “This transaction, along with the pending sale of our epoxy business, is the conclusion of a comprehensive evaluation of strategic actions aimed at maximizing value for our shareholders and best positioning the company for long-term growth. American Securities has a proven track record of partnering with leading companies and its associates to drive collaborative success. Operating under American Securities’ ownership, Hexion Holdings has a bright future and is poised to build on its momentum and continue its record of delivering innovative, high-quality products and service to customers.”