Milacron Names Christie Group VP Metalworking Technologies

Milacron Inc (Cincinnati, OH) has named James R. Christie Group VP of its Metalworking Techologies Group. He succeeds Alan L. Shaffer, who has resigned from the company to pursue other interests. Shaffer, 49, had led the metalworking technologies group since 1986.

Christie, 54, joined Milacron in 1993 as president of Valenite. In 1997, he was elected a corporate officer and vice president, heading the group's two largest businesses, Valenite and Widia, which make carbide insert tools for metalcutting. Prior to joining Milacron, from 1987 to 1993, Christie was at Hickson International serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Applied Chemicals and two other divisions. From 1974 to 1987, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Occidental Petroleum Corporation and the Atlantic Richfield Company.

Christie holds a B.S. degree in applied chemistry from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, a post graduate diploma in business administration from the University of Edinburgh, and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering also from the University of Edinburgh.

Milacron Inc with 11,000 employees worldwide had 1999 sales of $1.6 billion in plastics processing and metalworking technologies. Major manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, and India. Metalworking technologies accounts for annual sales of about $700 million. Products include metalcutting inserts, insert holders, carbide and high speed steel round tools, metalworking fluids, chemical and tool management services, precision grinding wheels and carbide wear parts. Plastics technologies with annual sales of $900 million include injection molding machines, blow molding equipment, extrusion systems and wear items, mold bases, mold-making equipment and mold components, as well as aftermarket and MRO (maintenance, repair and operating) parts and services.

Milacron Inc, 2090 Florence Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206; phone: 513-487-5000