Ames, Iowa USA (May 31, 2002) – Becker Underwood, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of bio-agronomic products, specialty colorants and seed coatings, has named Ian McManus to the company’s Board of Directors, which oversees the company’s global operations.
Based in England, McManus was appointed May 6 at Becker Underwood’s Board of Directors meeting in Littlehampton, England. The addition of McManus to the board comes at a time of global expansion for Becker Underwood. His expertise was sought to complement the company’s continued expansion of its markets.
McManus has more than 25 years of experience in the chemical industry. He was formerly a member of the Executive Committee of Aventis Cropscience, responsible for global supply chain and production. He has played key roles in all aspects of chemical business, including manufacturing, strategic planning, management and communications. He also has extensive experience of mergers, integrations, acquisitions and disposals.
"Ian has a track record of achievement and success while serving as senior executive and on several boards at multinational corporations," said Roger Underwood, CEO of Becker Underwood. "Based on his extensive experience and knowledge in the chemical industry, Becker Underwood will greatly benefit from his insight and input on the board."
McManus Named to Becker Underwood’s Board of Directors
McManus serves as non-executive director for three chemical companies: KS Biomedix, a biopharmaceutical company managing the development of drugs that target cancer and inflammatory disease; ConsulTra; and AH Marks. In addition, he is a consultant with an Indian pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturing company.
McManus’s career includes stints with Aventis Cropscience and AgrEvo, two of the world’s largest chemical companies. He served three years at Aventis Cropscience as Member of the Executive Committee responsible for manufacturing and the global supply chain. He was also Chairman of Aventis UK and a member of other international subsidiary boards.
At AgrEvo, a world leader in plant protection, seeds, biotechnology and environmental health, McManus served as a Member of the Main Board and Chairman of the UK. His responsibilities included global manufacturing and supply chain, and a global public health business.
Married and with two daughters, McManus received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.
Founded in 1982 in Ames, Iowa, Becker Underwood is an international developer of products for the mulch, seed, agriculture, turf and green house markets with production facilities in Ames; Saskatoon, Canada; and Littlehampton, England. The company manufactures and markets a variety of specialty colorants and bio-agronomic products for turf management, agriculture, seed treatment, wood recycling, aquaculture, vegetation management, forestry and structural pest control industries. To learn more about their products, visit the website at www.beckerunderwood.com.
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Note to editors: Direct all inquiries to Becker Underwood, Inc., 801 Dayton Ave., P.O. Box 667, Ames, IA 50010, U.S.A.; Telephone: (800) 232-5907; Fax: (515) 232-5961; E-mail: request@beckerunderwood.com.
