R.D. Abbott names Jim Cottington as VP, head of supply chain

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.—R.D. Abbott Co. Inc. has filled a vital role in its hiring of Levi Jim Cottington as its next vice president and head of supply chain.

Cottington, who officially took the position March 29, will be charged with improving speed-to-market and the predictability of results for R.D. Abbott customers.

He will accomplish this through risk mitigation and complexity management, according to R.D. Abbott.

"Jim is a proven leader who has spent his entire career in the elastomers industry," said R.D. Abbott President Keith Thomas. "He understands what it takes to add value in specialized areas and has enjoyed a distinguished career both in the rubber industry and in related market segments."

Cottington comes to R.D. Abbott after serving as CEO for several companies, as well as vice president for Wacker Chemie A.G.'s elastomers business within NAFTA.

Cottington began his silicones career in 1988 as a chemist for Dow Corning before joining Wacker—first in Michigan, then in Germany and finally in India.

"His experience in technical, sales and marketing will be of added value to the organization," according to R.D. Abbott.

R.D. Abbott is a materials science, engineering and distribution firm that has served the rubber industry since 1948. The company has manufacturing via its NovationSi facility in Barberton, Ohio, and maintains warehouse locations throughout the country.