Reichhold gets new chairman

By Patrick Raleigh ERJ On-line news editor

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina-Dainippon Ink and Chemicals (DIC) has appointed Yasuji Tsunekawa as chairman of its Reichhold Inc. subsidiary. The appointment follows other recent DIC-instigated changes to the top management at Reichhold.

Tsunekawa, who was previously a director of Reichhold, “will work to establish long-term strategies and policies for Reichhold's coatings and composites business,” said a 25 May Reichhold statement.

Based at Reichhold's Research Triangle Park headquarters, the new chairman will also accelerate technical transfers from DIC to Reichhold and seek new applications for DIC technologies, the firm added.

Tsunekawa is a 37-year veteran of Tokyo-based DIC, most recently serving as executive vice president of its Industrial Materials Business Operation, with responsibility for the firm's resin business in Japan and the rest of Asia. He has also served as chairman of the Japan Polyurethane Resin Association.

“On behalf of Reichhold's 1800 employees around the world, I'd like to welcome Mr. Tsunekawa to Reichhold and am pleased to be working with him again,” said John Gaither, who recently took over as president and CEO of Reichhold.

“We met for the first time 15 years ago, and I know that he can help us with internal improvements as well as helping DIC to better understand Reichhold's needs,” Gaither concluded.