BGL Formalizes Chemicals Practice

Building on its long history of involvement in the chemicals industry, Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, a leading independent investment bank serving middle-market companies and their owners, announced today the creation of a dedicated Chemicals practice.

Cameron S. Miele and Kevin H. Sargent, both vice presidents with BGL, will co-direct the practice, which will focus on applying BGL’s expertise in mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity placements, and financial restructurings to transactions across a wide segment of the chemicals industry.

“As demonstrated by several recent successful transactions, the chemicals industry has been an increasingly important focus for our firm,”” said Michael E. Gibbons, senior managing director & chairman of BGL.  “We are committing significant professional resources to the industry, and I expect that the practice will be one of the fastest-growing sectors within BGL.”

To further enhance the firm’s resources, 30-year chemicals industry veteran Thomas A. Waltermire has agreed to serve as a senior advisor to the practice.  Most recently, Waltermire served as chairman, CEO, and president of PolyOne Corporation, a $3 billion global polymer compounder and resin distributor with operations in 25 countries. Prior to PolyOne, Waltermire served as chairman, CEO, and president of The Geon Company, a leading North American producer of vinyl resins and compounds.  In addition to his strategic and operating expertise, Waltermire has extensive financial experience, having served as Geon’s CFO and in an array of financial and operating positions with The BFGoodrich Company both at the corporate level and in its chemical businesses.  Waltermire is currently CEO of Team Northeast Ohio, the region’s leading marketing and business attraction/retention organization.  He will continue in this capacity while advising BGL’s Chemicals practice.

Gibbons added, “”In addition to the outstanding talent among our in-house team, we are thrilled to have an expert with Tom Waltermire’s industry experience and excellent reputation serve as a resource as we continue to grow our Chemicals practice.  We look forward to drawing upon his expertise and counsel in serving our clients.  Our Chemicals practice will also benefit from our partnership in Global M&A.  Our partners in 31 countries give us a unique market presence to serve middle market chemical companies worldwide.

BGL’s recent chemical transactions include:

• The Flood Company:    Sale of a leading producer of specialty coating and wood paint additive solutions for consumer, commercial, and industrial applications to Netherlands-based Akzo Nobel N.V., a global Fortune 500 company that manufactures coatings and chemicals.
• Waterbury Companies, Inc.:    Sale of the world’s leading manufacturer of proprietary products, formulas, and technologies for controlling and eliminating germs, odors, and pests in commercial, institutional, agricultural, and other environments to Wind Point Partners.
• Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.:    Restructuring and recapitalization of an innovation-driven designer, manufacturer, and marketer of metal halide products, high technology materials, and thin film coatings used in energy-efficient lighting products.
• Technical Concepts, L.P.:    Sale of the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of products used for hygiene and odor control in “away-from-home” washrooms to Liberty Capital Partners.