NORWALK, Conn.—R.T. Vanderbilt Co. Inc. said it is reorganizing its North American operations, and expects to complete a $30 million plant expansion by this summer.
The producer and distributor of chemicals and minerals—many used in the rubber industry—created three wholly owned, vertically integrated businesses it believes are better equipped to meet customer needs and position the company for growth organically, and through mergers and acquisitions, the firm said.
The new operating organizations took effect Jan. 1.
"R.T. Vanderbilt's new organizational structure will allow us to concentrate and grow our businesses in our traditional areas of strength, including chemicals and minerals," said Roger Price, president and chief operating officer of the firm. "These changes will capture the momentum that our company has already seen in these markets, and provide new opportunities for us to demonstrate our commitments to providing unequaled value in our products and services."
The reorganization creates a new parent company—R.T. Vanderbilt Holding Co. Inc.—for five wholly owned subsidiaries. They are:
* Vanderbilt Chemicals L.L.C., which includes the North American operations of the company's manufactured and resale chemical business serving the rubber, plastics and petroleum markets.
* Vanderbilt Minerals L.L.C., comprising the North American operations of the firm's industrial and specialty minerals business serving the life sciences, coatings, ceramics and agricultural markets.
* Vanderbilt Global Services L.L.C., a services entity supporting the operating businesses;
* Vanderbilt International S.A.R.L., a Switzerland-based firm that provides marketing and technical support services to the chemicals and minerals businesses in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Russia; and
c Vanderbilt (Beijing) Trading Ltd., a marketing and technical support services operation in China.
The new business groups will operate as divisions of Vanderbilt. No changes in senior management, ownership or the financial condition of the company result from the realignment.
The firm's expansion of its Murray, Ky., chemical factory significantly will hike capacity and capabilities for the operation, the Norwalk-based company said.