Martin Marietta Materials has named James A.J. Nickolas senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective this month. He succeeds the retiring Anne Lloyd, who will remain with the producer through September, capping a 12-year term as CFO. Nickolas most recently led the Caterpillar Inc. Corporate Development Group, following CFO tours of duty at the manufacturer’s Resources Industries segment and Global Mining division. Prior to Caterpillar, he was executive director of J.P. Morgan Securities.
“[Jim Nickolas] brings valuable expertise to the already strong senior leadership team, including deep knowledge of financial management, mining and materials, and M&A execution and integration,” says Martin Marietta CEO Ward Nye. “We look forward to working with him to extend our track-record of superior shareholder value creation.”
Nye credits Lloyd’s “integral role in helping deliver exceptional returns to shareholders” and instrumental role in “managing the company’s balance sheet in a manner that allowed us to sensibly and successfully pursue value-enhancing organic and external growth opportunities.”
Continuing a Great Lakes market expansion north and east of its Chicago base, Ozinga Ready Mix Inc., Mokena, Ill., has closed on Indiana’s Eagle Ready-Mix, characterizing the family owned operator as rich in values and principles—and a perfect fit with its culture. The producer’s Goshen and Elkhardt sites join their new owner’s 11-plant business covering north central Indiana and southwest Michigan.
“For 26 years, Eagle Ready-Mix has been a trusted name in the region for quality concrete and great service,” notes Ozinga Indiana Executive Vice President Joe Sanders.
“Building a business is about making a difference in the world around you,” adds Executive Vice President of Ready Mix Operations Jeff Ozinga. “We take pride in becoming members of the local community, and are excited to build relationships with new customers and coworkers that will positively influence residential and commercial growth throughout Indiana and Michigan.”
Houston-based principal investor Main Street Capital has announced an $18.6 million outlay combining first-lien, senior secured term debt and direct equity investment in Boccella Precast LLC, a Berlin, N.J., structural concrete products operator serving metropolitan New York, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets. Main Street partnered with Ashland Capital Partners, Chicago, and Boccella management on the transaction.
The investment firms are also providing an undrawn credit facility to support the precast/prestressed producer’s working capital needs. New York Stock Exchange-traded Main Street focuses on long-term debt and equipment capital transactions involving lower middle market companies ($10 million–$150 million annual sales).
LafargeHolcim Ltd. has named Heike Faulhammer as Research & Development group head. She joins the global cement, concrete and aggregates producer after 20 years in research, production, product innovation-related functions and sustainable development capacities with Arkema, one of France’s leading chemicals producers. Faulhammer will be based at the LafargeHolcim global R&D center near Lyon, France, where 200 engineers and technicians from more than 20 nationalities target innovative solutions for the global construction industry.
Agawam, Mass.-based Sound Seal, a leader in acoustical and noise control products for industrial, architectural, commercial and construction markets, has acquired Connecticut-based Proudfoot Co., a pioneer in sound-absorbing concrete masonry. Established in 1965, Proudfoot built a name in acoustic-wise architectural masonry through its SoundBlox and SoundCell lines, then expanded into other noise control solutions, including acoustical wall panels, sound absorbing baffles/banners, resonator absorbers, flexible noise barriers and acoustical curtains—all under the NoiseMaster brand.
With Proudfoot’s unique and innovative offerings, Sound Seal is able to expand its leadership position as a premier supplier to the noise control market, notes CEO Joe Lupone. “While we will be gaining market share in our existing segments, Proudfoot will allow us to further our reach by adding a line of acoustical masonry products,” he affirms. “Proudfoot will become a division of Sound Seal and our portfolio will include SoundBlox, SoundCell and NoiseMaster products.”
“The acquisition of Proudfoot is further proof in our commitment to offer the best and broadest portfolio available to the acoustics market,” adds Chris Lund of Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners, Sound Seal principal investor. “Together, Sound Seal and its managing partners will continue to strive toward this goal by ongoing strategic acquisitions and organic growth.”
Sound Seal operates three product divisions: Industrial, addressing in-plant and environmental noise control; Architectural, handling interiors and finishes, including WoodTrends products; and, Impacta Flooring, offering floor underlayments.
Wisconsin-based Spancrete has announced two appointments at its 22-acre Sebring, Fla., precast/prestressed operation. As plant manager, Chet Vansyckel will plan, schedule and direct ongoing production at the facility, especially known for hollow core plank, RibSlab flooring, RePlenish pavement slab and stair system offerings. A State of Florida-licensed general contractor, Vansyckel will also oversee safety and continuous improvement program implementation. As business development manager, Scott Hadder will manage customer relationships, and help grow the prominence of precast solutions in Florida.