KoSa Appoints General Manager to Textile Fibers Business; Forms New Business and Market Development Team

KoSa has named Ken Hardin as general manager of its textile fibers business for the U.S. and Canada, effective Jan. 1, 2000. In his new position, Hardin will have regional responsibility for all segments of the business, including Polyester Staple and textile filament. He will report to Eduardo Rocha, vice president for the global textile fibers organization.

Reporting to Hardin in his new role will be Jim Lisk, director, textile filament; Osman, director, New Business and Market Development; and Troy Stanley, director, textile staple.

Hardin, who most recently was manufacturing and technical director for KoSa's global textile fibers business, also will continue his current responsibilities of manufacturing and technology coordination for the business in the U.S. and Canada.

"As KoSa continues to grow its specialty textile business, it's essential that we strengthen the links between R&D and the marketplace," said Hardin. "Our goal is not only to provide our customers with new, innovative fiber solutions, but also to broaden the applications and end uses of our specialty products."

In addition, KoSa's textile fibers group has formed a New Business and Market Development team. Led by Dick Osman, the team will be responsible for identifying new opportunities to grow the business's specialty product lines.

Working with Osman on the New Business and Market Development team will be Vicki Bousman, marketing manager, textile filament, and Lana Irish, marketing manager, textile staple. Achim Heyer, business manager, nonwovens, will assume responsibility for leading the polyester staple nonwovens group.

KoSa produces commodity and specialty polyester products as part of five global businesses: Textile Fibers, Technical Filament, Tire Cord, Intermediates and Polymer, and Packaging Resins

Edited by Anndrea Vorobej