Wilsonart Names Former Sabic Executive Timothy J O'Brien President & CEO

NEW YORK, NY (January 4, 2013) – Wilsonart International Holdings LLC announced the appointment ofTimothy J. O’Brien as President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 14, 2013.  Mr. O’Brien, a former senior executive at SABIC Innovative Plastics, will also serve as a member of Wilsonart’s Board of Directors.  At SABIC, Mr. O’Brien was responsible for the engineering resins business in the Americas and Europe.  SABIC Innovative Plastics was founded in 2007 with the acquisition of GE Plastics by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.  He also served as General Manager of GE’s High Performance and Crystalline Polymers businesses, Senior Vice President for commercial finance computer leasing with GE Capital, and numerous management roles with GE Lighting where he began his GE career in 1985. Mr. O’Brien holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace College.

In October 2012, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Illinois Tool Works Inc. completed a transaction through which Wilsonart become a new, independent company. A fund managed by CD&R invested $395 million in the new freestanding business to acquire a majority ownership stake. ITW retains an ongoing ownership stake.

“Tim is a proven global business leader with the perfect skill set and experience to successfully lead Wilsonart to the next level of profitable growth,” said John Krenicki, Wilsonart’s Chairman and a CD&R Operating Partner.  “I had the opportunity to work closely with Tim during my tenure at GE and have firsthand experience with his ability to focus on customer needs in innovative ways, as well as energize and build strong teams.  We are excited to have him join the company.”

About Wilsonart

Wilsonart International Holdings, LLC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of high pressure laminates and other engineered surfaces used in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications.  The company operates under the Wilsonart, Resopal, Polyrey and Arborite brands and has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining the laminate surface through improved performance and aesthetics.  For more information, visit www.WilsonartFuture.com/AboutUs.