Milacron Units Get New Executives

Milacron Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) announced key leadership appointments in both its operating groups.

Roland E. Bechtel assumes the position of chairman of the managing board for Widia, the company's insert cutting tool maker headquartered in Essen, Germany. Martin Lakes has been named president of Uniloy Milacron, the company's blow molding systems business headquartered in Manchester, MI.

A 30-year Milacron veteran who began his career in sales of U.S. plastics machinery, Bechtel is now responsible for Widia's operations throughout Europe and India. Prior to this appointment, he served as general manager of Ferromatik Milacron, the company's plastics injection molding machine operations in Europe and, before that, he was general manager of Milacron's European plastics extrusion systems business. Bechtel succeeds Winfried Haag, who has left the company.

Lakes has overall responsibility for Uniloy Milacron. He returns to Milacron from Manitowoc Cranes, where he was senior vice president of operations for the past five years. Mr. Lakes first joined Milacron in 1977 and held positions of increasing responsibility in several areas within the plastics technologies group, including field service, customer service, contract services, and manufacturing. While serving as manufacturing manager, he was instrumental in securing recognition for the group's injection molding machine facilities as one of Industry Week's Ten Best Plants in 1994. Mr. Lakes succeeds James R. King, who will remain with the company on an interim basis.