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Pliant Reports Organizational Changes

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Pliant Corp. recently reported Jack Knott has been named chief executive officer of the corporation. According to the co., Richard P. Durham, Pliant's former chairman and CEO, has stepped down from this executive roles at the co., but will continue as a member of the Board of Directors. Notes Durham: "Pliant has developed into the company I envisoned when we started this business. Our operating model is working well, and an experienced management team is in place, which has allowed me to step down from my day-to-day activities at the company. I am pleased with the appointment of Jack Knott as our CEO, as he as been instrumental in leading our organization through its many acquisitions, refinancings, and organizational changes. As Pliant's president and chief operating officer (COO), he is uniquely qualified to assume the additional duties of CEO."

Other organizational changes Pliant is reporting:

  • Ron Artzer is named president of Pliant Solutions. According to co. he will continue to optimize the recently purchased Decora Con-Tact® business, in addition to leading the sales strategy of Pliant's growing consumer products businesses. Artzer was the former president of Decora, Inc.
  • Stan Bikulege will assume the new role of president, Pliant USA. In this role, says the co., he will be responsible for optimizing Pliant's growth in the domestic value-added film and packaging markets. Bikulege formerly was the executive VP of operations at Pliant.
  • Elise Scroggs has been promoted to president of Pliant International. She will lead the company's continued globalization, Pliant reports; previously, she was responsible for Pliant's operations in Asia, Europe, Mexico, and Latin America.

"These organizational changes," says Knott, "allow Pliant to be focused on its top-line growth in the international consumer products and specialty films markets. Following our recent successful issuance of $100 million (US) senior subordinated notes, record sales volume the first quarter of 2002, and the acquisition of certain assets of Decora Industries, Ron, Stan, and Elise will be building from a solid platform of growth," the new CEO adds.

In addition, Tim Walsh, a partner of JP Morgan Partners (and who is a member on Pliant's Board of Directors) will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board from Richard Durham. (JP Morgan Partners, formerly Chase Capital Partners, and management team members acquired Huntsman Packaging Corp. on May 31, 2000, which the company later renamed "Pliant Corp.") Visit Pliant at pliantcorp.com.

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