FAIRLAWN, Ohio, July 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
OMNOVA Solutions (NYSE: OMN) announced the promotion of John Wei to the position of Vice President, OMNOVA Solutions China and General Manager, OMNOVA Decorative Products China. In addition, Wei will retain his current role of Vice President, OMNOVA Performance Chemicals Asia. Wei will assume responsibility for all OMNOVA businesses in China and be the lead Corporate representative for the Company there.
John Wei began his career with OMNOVA and its former parent company, GenCorp, in 1995 as Director, Corporate Business Development. He served as Director, Strategic Business Development for OMNOVA’s Performance Chemicals unit for six years before being named Vice President, Performance Chemicals Asia in 2005.
Wei earned his bachelor’s degree in the United States in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, his Master of Engineering degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
OMNOVA operates two Decorative Products plants near Shanghai, in Minhang and Taicang. These businesses produce coated polyurethane and vinyl upholstery primarily for Chinese automotive original equipment manufacturers and regional upholstery, consumer garment and accessories markets, with an increasing focus on the North American residential and contract furniture markets and automotive aftermarket. OMNOVA acquired full ownership of these former joint venture businesses at the beginning of 2008. OMNOVA also has a sales and technical service office in Shanghai for its Asian Performance Chemicals business, which sells emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals into a variety of markets, including nonwovens, tape and adhesives, tires, coatings and textiles.
OMNOVA Solutions is a technology-based company headquartered near Akron, Ohio, USA, with proforma 2007 sales of US$836 million and a current workforce of 2,750 employees worldwide. OMNOVA is a major innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses. Visit OMNOVA Solutions on the internet at http://www.omnova.com .
