Elasto Sweden announces further investment in medical TPEs

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HEXPOLınsıde

2014 TopWorkplace Awards

Materializing Our Values

Elasto Swedenannounces further

investment inmedical TPEs

NUMBER 15 · SUMMER 2014

New Mixer in Queretaro

Message from the CEO

Dear Reader,

Please find a new issue of the ”HEXPOL Newsletter” - now renamed to HEXPOL inside. Hope you will like it.

In this issue you can read about our strong focus on people, workplaces and internal recruitments. These are really essentials for the HEXPOL Group. Our people should find HEXPOL attractive and grow with us!

HEXPOL is growing. In this issue you can also read about new investments in Elasto Sweden, Åmål, Sweden (medical TPE compounding), HEXPOL Compounding Queretaro, Mexico (new rubber compounding line) and Stellana AB, Laxå, Sweden (new Vulkollan wheel line). These are all strong investments for the future.

Please also read and reflect on ”Materializing our values”. You can read these commitments to people, environment and business ethics on our web page or order printed copies from HEXPOL AB in Malmö.

Pleasant reading!

Best regards,

GeorgGeorg Brunstam, President and CEO

Georg Brunstam, CEO HEXPOL Group.

HEXPOLınsıde

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ELASTO Sweden, part of HEXPOL TPE Compounding, has decided to invest in a new TPE production line at their facility in Åmål, Sweden.

The plans include high-quality twin screw technology, advanced raw material controls, supporting sub systems and analytics equipment. The new line is expected to come on stream in 2015. ELASTO Sweden specialises in the conception, formulation and production of tailored TPE compounds based on styrenic block copolymers. The company has a strong presence in the medical, consumer, toy and food markets, where there are stringent requirements in production management, traceability, consistency and cleanliness. Specialist knowledge and a deep understanding of new and emerging international regulations and quality assurance standards are also essential.

ELASTO Sweden operates HEXPOL TPE’s centre of excellence for medical TPE compounds and was the first European TPE compounder to be awarded the ISO 13485 certification for the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of Thermoplastic Elastomer compounds for the medical device industry. The standard places emphasis on the use of procedures to regulate and control how activities and processes should

be performed. Above all these procedures need to be maintained and once established cannot be changed.Kjell Fagerström, managing director at ELASTO Sweden AB commented, “We have a proud history of delivering unique and high-quality products to critical applications in the medical and consumer markets. This is possible due to the high standards we operate to; be it revolutionary new products, advanced compounding processes, in-the-field support or the quality assurance and testing to know our products perform as they should. We challenge ourselves to operate the World’s cleanest TPE factory. This investment is part of our on-going commitment to supply leading quality TPE products and the highest levels of support to our growing medical customer base”.

Elasto Sweden announces furtherinvestment in medical TPEs

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HEXPOL Managers moving on to new opportunitiesHEXPOL is a global company and here are the latest internal moves:

Saul Reyes, Regional Sales Director HEXPOL Compounding - coming from HEXPOL Compounding AGS, Mexico.

Sebastien Dubois, now Development Chemist in HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA (Statesville) - coming from HEXPOL Compounding in Eupen, Belgium.

John Sewell, now Key Account Manager HEXPOL TPE Compounding, Foshan China - coming from ELASTO UK.

Gary Moore, now Vice President Purchasing HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA - coming from HEXPOL Compounding in Eupen, Belgium.

Guido Heinen, now Key Account Manager - Medical, ELASTO Sweden - coming from HEXPOL Compounding in Eupen, Belgium.

Daniel Pankert, now Precess Engingeering HEXPOL Compounding HQ Eupen, Belgium - coming from HEXPOL TPE Compounding Foshan, China.

Ernesto Gutierrez, now Managing Director HEXPOL Compounding AGS, Mexico - coming from HEXPOL Compounding QRO Mexico.

Jim Stevens now Controller Stellana Inc., US - coming from Stellana Inc US.

Thorsten Henz, now European Sales Manager HEXPOL Compounding Europe - coming from HEXPOL Compounding Belgium.

New AppointmentsChistian Dohmen, Purchasing Manager HEXPOL Compounding Europe/Asia

Todd Bowers, Sales Director HEXPOL Compounding China

We wish them very welcome to the HEXPOL Group!

Saul Reyes moves on within HEXPOLAfter seven years of leading our Operations in HEXPOL Compounding Aguascalientes, Saul Reyes is now moving into a Business Development and Strategy role within HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA, with responsibilities in Mexico, Central & South America and South-West USA, reporting directly to Tracy Garrison CEO & President HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA.

Saul, who is originally from Guadalajara, is an Industrial Engineer who graduated from Universidad Panamericana in Guadalajara Mexico but also studied at LSU in Baton Rouge LA. Saul started his career as a trainee doing time studies with a company that manu-factured plastic sacks, and then moved to Production Manager with Plasthermo. Saul had his first rubber opportunity with Mexico start-up company SaarGummi (which later became GDX) where he was Managing Director for six years.

Saul joined HEXPOL in 2007 when we started our Mexico operation in Aguascalientes and has been Managing Director for the last 7 years. Under Saul’s leadership we have seen this site grow from a start-up operation to a three-mixer site which is the premier rubber compounding company in Mexico. Due to their outstanding growth and performance, the Aguascalientes site has received a number of HEXPOL Global Awards: the President’s Award in 2008 and Best Plant of the Year in 2012 and in 2013.

HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA Finance Managers ConferenceA HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA Finance Managers Conference was held May 20-21, 2014 with 17 in atten-dance. All US and Mexico sites were represented as well as Karin Gunnarsson and Magnus Berglund from Sweden.

The focus of the meeting was Financial Forward Steering which stressed more involvement operationally at the plant level from the finance team. Each partici-pant had a presentation which included their experience in the newly started Finance Managers Exchange Program (FMX) or area of expertise. The FMX pro-gram includes visiting their counterparts looking for Best Practices while developing Professional relation-ships with one other. Day 2 concentrated on HEXPOL reporting and policies as well as an outside speaker for Ethics Training.

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Ernesto Gutierrez is New Managing Director ofAguascalientesHEXPOL Compounding NAFTA has promoted Ernesto Gutierrez to Managing Director of the Aguascalientes, Mexico, facility effective August 1. He succeeds Saul Reyes, who becomes HEXPOL’s Business Development Manager for Mexico and South America.

Gutierrez began his rubber-compounding career with the initial Queretaro, Mexico, plant start-up 14 years ago. He has extensive knowledge of HEXPOL operations. His multiple roles and responsibilities during his tenure with the company include information technology (IT), purchasing, warehouse, logistics, production, and main-tenance manager.

He comes to his new position with a wealth of knowledge and experience, which he used to help the Queretaro facility win two “HEXPOL Plant of the Year” awards – most recently in 2013. Ernesto also participate in HEXPOL’s Global Leadership Program, Materializing the Difference.

“I am honored to be the new Managing Director of the Aguascalientes facility and look forward to working with the team there to ensure continued success and growth,” Gutierrez explained. “Our focus will be on helping our customers meet their market challenges and improve their products.”

Gutierrez is from Mexico City and graduated from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico in Mexico City, where he completed an IT bachelor’s degree and a Marketing certification. He started his career at Grupo Penoles, a mining group, as software engineer. He then joined Reino Aventura, an amusement park, as IT Manager and three years later was promoted to IT Director.

Gutierrez has been married for 20 years to his wife Graciela. They have a 16-year old daughter, Andrea. They currently reside in Queretaro.

“Ernesto is well prepared to take on this new chal-lenge,” said Tracy Garrison, President & Chief Executive Officer of HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA. “He will help strengthen our premiere customer service and help oversee the continued growth and success of our Aguascalientes facility.”

Stellana AB takes new production line in operationBarely a year after the fire that destroyed the produc-tion line for Vulkollan wheel in Laxå, Sweden, the new production lines are in operation. Design and reconstruction has been made in a very short time. During the time they have succeeded supplying most customers with wheels - thanks to a solid effort by the staff and the production on a smaller line.

When planning and reconstruction, the emphasis was to create a good working environment and great flexibility in the production. With the new produc-tion lines in operation, Stellana is, again, one of the leading producers of Vulkollan wheel in the world.

Ernesto Gutierrez – The New Managing Director of Aguascalientes.

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Investing in People Fosters ExcellenceHEXPOL Compounding in Statesville, North Carolina, and Gold Key Processing in Middlefield, Ohio, were recently recognized as best places to work in their respective communities.

Business North Carolina ranked HEXPOL Compounding in the top 15 for large companies in the state’s Best Employers in North Carolina program. Gold Key Processing was ranked in The Plain Dealer’s Top 100 Workplaces for the second year in a row – this year at 25 among northeast Ohio’s mid-sized companies. The common denominator for both of these awards is HEXPOL’s investment in people. We recognize that our associates are our greatest assets. Employees surveyed in both locations indicated their appreciation for the growth opportunity and performance recognition provided by HEXPOL. Associates feel connected to HEXPOL because of the positive culture and the company’s extensive support, including training, wellness programs, safety initiatives, and an environment that promotes work/life balance.

HEXPOL in StatesvilleThe Best Employers in North Carolina program noted that the management team at Statesville continually “improves and updates methods and processes so that associates can work safely, efficiently and productively.” As part HEXPOL’s companywide vision, we recognize that investing in training and leadership programs pays dividends to both HEXPOL and our associates. As a result, we serve our customers better and grow our business while our associates grow as employees and individuals.

“We train and equip our associates so they are prepared to take on new responsibilities when opportunities arise,” said Mark George, Statesville’s Managing Director. “It’s very rewarding to watch our associates grow into leadership positions.”

Statesville also encourages active involvement in the local community. Employee involvement with a variety of charitable organizations – generously giving of their time, assistance, and financial contributions – has a very positive impact on the people of the community.

HEXPOL associates continue to take advantage of opportunities offered to them through our sales, technical service, and leadership development training to develop new skills and excel.

Gold Key in MiddlefieldThe companies included in The Plain Dealer’s 2014 Top Workplaces list were selected upon nomination. Then followed by a comprehensive employee survey that measured important qualities such as organization leadership, fair policies, training, flexibility, empowerment, diversity, career development, growth potential, compensation, family friendly environment and more. Survey results indicated that we have a healthy organization comprised of individuals who feel connected to their workplace through meaningful work and a strong belief that Gold Key is moving in the right direction. Our task as leaders is to grow our business by growing our associates through a clear vision, intentional development actions, empowerment and making sure each associate feels valued.

We strive to ensure ”buy in” as to where HEXPOL is going and that leadership at Gold Key cares about each associate, promoting a strong “one team” mentality that focuses on customer service.

“We are honored to receive this Top Work Places award for the second year in a row,” Jerry Saxion, Managing Director of Gold Key Processing, said. “This achievement would not be possible without the personal growth, hard work and dedication of each of our associates at all levels of the organization.”

Congratulations to everyone at the Statesville and Middlefield facilities for winning these impressive awards.

2014 Top Workplace Awards

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At HEXPOL we recognize that our activities have an impact on people and the environment, both locally and gloabally, but we are convinced that we can contribute to sustainable development being responsible citizens.

Our primary objective is to create profitable growth and a prerequisite for doing that is to show responsibility for people and the environment, and to demostrate sound business ethics. These commitments – Materializing Our Values – are deeply rooted in our culture and strategy, meaning that we strive to limit the Group s impact on the environment and to offer a secure and stimulating work environment for our employees world-wide. It is equally important that HEXPOL is associated with credibility and healthy values in our contacts with customers, suppliers and business partners.

”Materializing Our Values” represents the Group s Code of Conduct and states the principles governing relations with employees, business partners and other stakeholders. The guidelines offer direction to those active in the Group in respect of legal, finance and accounting, conflicts of interest, labour conditions, and social aspects as well as good business ethics.

You can find the document in Lotus Notes Database and also on our website www.hexpol.com

To order printed copies please contact the Group Headquarter at [email protected]


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People, Environment and Ethics

Materializing Our Values 1

2013-10-28 15.13


At HEXPOL we recognize that our activities have an impact on people and the environment,

both locally and globally, but I am convinced that we can contribute to sustainable develop-

ment being a responsible citizen.

Our primary objective is to create profi table growth and a prerequisite for doing that is to

show responsibility for people and the environment, and to demonstrate sound business

ethics. These commitments – Materializing Our Values – are deeply rooted in our culture

and strategy, meaning that we strive to limit the Group’s impact on the environment and to

offer a secure and stimulating work environment for our employees worldwide. It is equally

important that HEXPOL is associated with credibility and healthy values in our contacts

with customers, suppliers and business partners.

In connection with the listing on the Swedish stock market in 2008, we launched HEXPOL’s

fi rst own set of guidance documents and policies concerning business ethics, information,

environment and other areas. I am convinced that we, so far, have been successful in the

worldwide implementation of the policies and also the way we openly communicate progress

in performance in many areas. You can read a lot about this in our Annual Reports and

Sustainability Reports. However, the world is changing – and so are we – and it is now time

to update our existing documents, add some additional aspects, and to put it all together in

a coherent way.

We have therefore prepared an updated package of steering documents, which together

provide guidance on issues that are related to business ethics, corporate social responsibility

and sustainable development. The documents are based on international agreements and

guidelines, and have been benchmarked with requirements that are specifi ed by our main

customers.

Materializing Our Values provides guidance and support – but can never guarantee that

corporate responsibility will be part of our everyday life – this can only be guaranteed by the

commitment and actions by all of us working in the HEXPOL Group.

Malmö, October 2013

Georg Brunstam, CEO

HEXPOL Group


2013-10-28 15.13

Corporate responsibility

People, environment and business ethics

Materializing Our Values focuses on people, environment and business ethics. The docu-

ments describe our approach to each area and the contributions that all employees must

make in order to fulfi ll the requirements and visions. Materializing Our Values provides

support, but our aims are made visible and make a difference when they are applied to our

daily activities. Therefore, this is a responsibility that we must jointly take. Based on our

Materializing Our Values:

• We comply with laws, international guidelines, conventions, standards and

customer requirements.

• We contribute to sustainable development, including health and social welfare.

• We create value for our stakeholders.

• We practice corporate responsibility in the relations with our colleagues,

customers, suppliers, owners and other stakeholders.

Core principlesMaterializing Our Values is primarily based on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

and the International Guideline for Social Responsibility (ISO 26000). HEXPOL recognizes

the fundamental principles of Human Rights, as defi ned by the “Universal Declaration of

Human Rights” (UN), the eight core conventions defi ned in the Fundamental Principles of

Rights at Work (ILO Declaration), and other relevant conventions and guidelines.

Materializing Our Values is also based on laws and regulations that are applicable to public

companies that are listed at the Swedish stock market.

The structure of Materializing Our Values

This document gives an overview of the areas that are covered by Materializing Our Values.

Details about requirements and visions are found in the Business Ethics Guideline and the

supporting Group Policies and Guidelines.

Within the framework and requirements of ISO 14001, and other standardized management

systems, it is recommended that the manufacturing plants establish more detailed policies.

The measures in these policies should, however, not fall short of the commitments under-

taken by the HEXPOL Group.

* Supported by a Compliance Program relating to Competition and Anti-trust law.

** Policies available for all employees but not externally distributed.

Business Ethics Guideline*

FinancialPolicy**

InformationPolicy

InsiderPolicy andGuidelines

Health& Safety

Policy

EqualOpportunities

Policy

EnvironmentalPolicyIT

Policy**


2013-10-28 15.13

HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA continues to expand the company’s Mexican operations, investing in added capacity with “Best-in-Class” equipment and techno-logy. Since opening rubber-compounding operations in Mexico in 2000, HEXPOL has built two plants in the center of Mexico’s OEM auto production corridor.

After having shared with its sister plants in Aguascalientes and Statesville the 2013 HEXPOL “Best Plant of the Year” award, HEXPOL Compounding Queretaro is geared to bring into commission an eager-ly awaited second mixing line during the fourth quarter of 2014. The new line incorporates the best HEXPOL technology to date, including in-line straining, in order to best serve its current and new customers in Mexico as well as new markets under development. This is the fifth mixing line HEXPOL has in Mexico, bringing with it increased versatility to the Mexico business and will ultimately benefit all customers through improved qua-lity and customer service.

“We are thrilled with the continued growth of HEXPOL in Mexico,” Tracy Garrison. President & CEO HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA, explained. “Our team has developed tremendous skills over the past 14 years. Queretaro is one of our top performing facilities world-wide. Based on this excellence and market demand, we are committed to continued investment in Mexico.”

“The significant investment by HEXPOL is further evidence of the success of our team in the Mexican market,” said Queretaro Managing Director Francisco Viliesid. “We continue to develop new markets, app-lications, and channels. Our job, however, is far from finished, and our associates stand ready to continue growing with our customers. This new investment in capacity and capabilities furthers our commitment to our customers and enables us to continue to enhance our service in this key growth market.”

New Mixer in Queretaro

HEXPOL Compounding HQ SprlGewerbestrasse 8BE-4700 EupenBelgiumTel: +32 87 59 61 50Fax: + 32 87 59 61 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding SprlIndustriestrasse 36BE-4700 EupenBelgiumTel: +32 87 59 54 30Fax: +32 87 74 44 [email protected]

Stellana U.S. Inc.999 Wells StreetLake Geneva, WI 53147 USA Tel: +1 262 348 5575Fax: +1 262 348 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding (Qingdao) Co., Ltd899 Qingdao Middle RoadCN-266431 Jiaonan, QingdaoChinaTel: +86 532 8173 1118Fax: +86 532 8173 [email protected]

Gold Key Processing, Inc 14910 Madison Rd. Middlefield, Ohio 44062 USA Tel: +1 440 632 0901 Fax: +1 440 632 0929 [email protected]

Elastomeric Engineering Co Ltd51-54, IDB Industrial EstateHorana Sri Lanka Tel: +94 34 226 1051Fax: +94 34 226 [email protected]

Gislaved Gummi (Qingdao) Co., Ltd899 Qingdao Middle RoadCN-266431 Jiaonan, QingdaoChinaTel: +86 532 8173 1166Fax: +86 532 8173 [email protected]

ELASTO Sweden ABBox 51, Gamla Örnäsgatan 15SE-662 22 ÅMÅLSwedenTel: +46 532 607 500Fax: +46 532 607 [email protected]

Gislaved Gummi Lanka (Private) Ltd371 Colombo RoadBokundaraPiliyandalaSri LankaTel : + 94 11 421 2722Fax: + 94 11 251 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding GmbHOttostrasse 34DE-41836 HückelhovenGermanyTel: +49 2433 9755 00Fax: +49 2433 9755 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding s.r.oSumperska 1344CZ-78391 UnicovCzech RepublicTel: +42 585 004 011Fax: +42 585 053 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding NC Inc.280 Crawford RoadStatesville, NC 28625USATel: +1 704 872 1585Fax: +1 704 872 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding MexicoAV. Japon # 302Parque Industrial San FransiscoSan Francisco de Los Romo,Ags. CP 20304, MexicoTel: +52 449 139 3270Fax: +52 449 139 [email protected]

Stellana ABBox 54, SE-695 22 LaxåSweden Tel: +46 584 44 48 00Fax: +46 584 44 48 [email protected]

Stellana (Qingdao) Co., Ltd 899 Qingdao Middle RoadCN-266431 Jiaonan, Qingdao China Tel: +86 532 8173 1167Fax: +86 532 8173 1128www.stellana-cn.com

Gislaved Gummi ABBox 522, SE-332 28 GislavedSwedenTel: +46 371 848 00Fax: +46 371 848 [email protected]

ELASTO UK Ltd.Don Street, MiddletonManchester, M24 2GGUnited KingdomTel: +44 161 654 6616Fax: +44 161 654 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding-Burton Rubber Processing14330 Kinsman Rd.Burton, OH 44021USATel: +1 440 834 4644Fax: +1 440 834 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding-Colonial Rubber Works150 S. Connell Ave.Dyersburg, TN 38024USATel: +1 731 285 4353Fax: +1 731 287 [email protected] Compounding-Burton Rubber Processing260 Old State Route 34P.O. Box 377Jonesborough, TN 37659USATel: +1 423 753 2196Fax: +1 423 753 [email protected]

Chase Elastomer 635 Tower Dr.Kennedale, TX 76060USATel: +1 817 483 9797Fax: +1 817 483 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding-California8227 Sorensen Ave.Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670USATel: +1 562 945 1241Fax: +1 562 698 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding Queretaro S.A. de C.V.La Noria 115Parque Industrial QuerataroC.P. 76220, Santa Rosa, Jauregui Queretaro, MexicoTel: +52 442 211 3500Fax: +52 442 211 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding (UK) Ltd.Unit 3, Fifth AvenueTameside Park, DukinfieldCheshire, SK16 4PPUnited KingdomTel: +44 161 343 4433Fax: +44 161 343 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding (Foshan) Co. Ltd.No. 3 Xinhui RoadWusha, Daliang, Shunde DistrictFoshan Guangdong CN-528333ChinaTel: +86 757 2291 5100Fax: +86 757 2291 [email protected]

Müller Kunststoffe GmbH & Co. KG Werk 1 (PVC)Grünewaldstrassee 13 DE-96215 LichtenfelsGermanyTel: +49 9571 94894 00Fax: +49 9571 94894 90 [email protected] www.mueller-kunststoffe.com

Müller Kunststoffe GmbH & Co. KG Werk 2 (TPE)Max-Planck-Str. 3 DE-96215 Lichtenfels GermanyTel: +49 9571 94894 00Fax: +49 9571 94894 90 [email protected] www.mueller-kunststoffe.com

Robbins LLCMuscle Shoals Plant3415 Thompson StMuscle Shoals, AL 35661USATel: +1 256 383 [email protected]

HEXPOL Compounding Sales Office UK: David MottersheadTel: +44 7540 [email protected]

ELASTO Sales Office France:Pascal Gruyer Tel: +33 160 [email protected]

HEXPOL ABSkeppsbron 3SE-211 20 Malmö, Sweden Tel: +46 40-25 46 60Fax: +46 40-25 46 [email protected] www.hexpol.com

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Elasto Sweden announces further investment in medical TPEs