ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Solutia Inc. (OTCBB:SOLUQ) today announced that James R. Voss will become president of Flexsys, upon completion of the acquisition of the 50 percent of Flexsys that Solutia does not currently own.
Voss, 40, has been serving as Solutia's senior vice president - business operations since 2005. He will succeed Enrique Bolanos, who will become chairman emeritus of Flexsys upon Solutia's acquisition of Flexsys.
"Flexsys is a truly outstanding global business and it will become an integral part of Solutia," said Jeffry N. Quinn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Solutia Inc. "Jim's leadership as a proven executive will ensure we fully capitalize on the key role Flexsys will play in Solutia's future success."
As announced on Feb. 27, Solutia has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Akzo Nobel N.V.'s stake in Flexsys, the 50 percent/50 percent rubber chemicals joint venture between Akzo Nobel and Solutia. Solutia and Akzo Nobel have entered into a letter agreement committing the parties to execute the definitive agreement upon completion of consultation with Dutch employee works council representatives. The parties are moving forward to obtain the required approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court before which Solutia's Chapter 11 proceedings are pending, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, finalizing the definitive purchase agreement for Akzo Nobel's Crystex business in Japan and the fulfillment of other customary closing conditions.
Bolanos, has led Flexsys for the past eight years. As chairman emeritus he will continue to play an active role in the business.
"Flexsys must continue to meet its customers' needs and its business goals. We are very pleased to have the benefit of Enrique's nearly three decades of industry experience to ensure a smooth and timely transition," said Voss.
In his new role, Voss will continue to report to Quinn. Voss joined Solutia in 2005 from Premcor Inc., a major independent oil refiner, where he served as senior vice president and chief administrative officer. Voss holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Maryville University, a master's degree in human resources development from Webster University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Formed in 1995, Flexsys (http://www.flexsys.com) is the world's leading supplier of chemicals to the rubber industry. With 2005 sales of approximately $600 million, Flexsys directly employs about 600 people worldwide.
Flexsys products play an important role in the manufacture of tires and other rubber products such as belts, hoses, seals and footwear. These chemicals help cure and protect rubber, increase durability, lengthen product life, and provide color control and heat resistance.
Flexsys' headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, and its products are manufactured at facilities across Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Flexsys also operates three technology centers as well as sales offices around the world.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates," or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about the industries in which Solutia operates. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Solutia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, under "Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Statements," Solutia's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in connection with the Chapter 11 case of Solutia Inc. and 14 of its U.S. subsidiaries. These reports can be accessed through the "Investors" section of Solutia's Web site at www.solutia.com. The bankruptcy court filings can be accessed by visiting www.trumbullgroup.com. Solutia disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or any other occurrence.
Corporate Profile
Solutia (http://www.Solutia.com) uses world-class skills in applied chemistry to create value-added solutions for customers, whose products improve the lives of consumers every day. Solutia is a world leader in performance films for laminated safety glass and after-market applications; specialties such as water treatment chemicals, heat transfer fluids and aviation hydraulic fluid and an integrated family of nylon products including high-performance polymers and fibers. Solutia ... Solutions for a Better Life.