Industry happenings company-wide

Dock Resins Corp.

Dock Resins Corp., Linden, N.J., has opened the Philip I. Barbanel Research and Development Laboratory, which is dedicated to the company's retired founder. The new laboratory will more than double the company's synthesis capacity, while also providing broadened bench space to allow for additional applications testing.

ECOTANK, S.A.

ECOTANK, S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina, has become the latest Hoover Materials Handling Group, Inc., distributor, serving Argentina. The addition of this distributor will allow for the distribution of new products in Argentina, and gives Hoover customers complete Free-cycle services in the country. The program facilitates container pick-up, cleaning and refurbishing from locations around the world.

ExxonMobil Chemical Co.

The Ethylene Elastomers Business of ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Houston, has signed an agreement with Channel Polymers, Norwalk, Conn., to become the distributor for ExxonMobil Chemical's commercial Vistalon Ethylene Propylene Diene rubber products in the United States and Canada.

Northwest Coatings Corp.

Northwest Coatings Corp., Oak Creek, Wis., has been selected as the recipient of two of Frost & Sullivan's 2001 Marketing Engineering Awards. The company was chosen for the 2001 Customer Service Leadership Award based on the U.S. Radiation-Curable Coatings Market study. The company was also chosen for the 2001 Market Engineering Leadership Award based on the U.S. Market for Radiation-Curable Adhesives study.

Owens Corning

Owens Corning, Toledo, has announced a major agreement with The Plaza Group, Houston, the company's largest minority-owned supplier, resulting in a $35-million chemical-supply contract extending through 2004. Under the terms of the agreement, The Plaza Group will fulfill orders for chemical products and institute ways to streamline and improve Owens Corning's distribution process and supply-chain management.

RPM, Inc.

RPM, Inc., Medina, Ohio, has completed its restructuring and consolidation program, which was initiated in 1999, with the elimination of positions at several operating companies and its corporate headquarters. Approximately 800 positions, or 10 percent of RPM's worldwide workforce, have been eliminated. Included in the corporate staff reduction was Michael E. Steele, vice president and chief financial officer. James A. Karman, vice chairman, will assume the additional title of chief financial officer.