Olin Corp. announces new leadership appointments
Scott M. Sutton to become president and chief executive officer and John E. Fischer to become executive chairman
Olin Corp., a company originally founded more than 100 years ago in East Alton, announced Wednesday that after an extensive search which commenced last year, its board of directors has selected Scott M. Sutton to succeed John E. Fischer as president and chief executive officer, reporting to Olin’s Board.
Fischer will become executive chairman.
The appointments are effective September 1, 2020. Sutton currently serves on the Olin Board and is expected to be appointed chairman of the board immediately following Olin’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, at which time Fischer is expected to retire in accordance with the Corporation’s mandatory retirement policy for senior executives.
Sutton, who joined Olin’s Board on Sept. 19, 2018, is described as an accomplished and experienced global executive with more than 30 years of experience in the chemicals industry. He currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Prince International Corporation, a privately-held global producer of specialty minerals materials. Before joining Prince, Sutton served in various positions of increasing responsibility at Celanese Corp., including as its chief operating officer from 2017 until 2019. Prior to Celanese, Sutton held senior positions with Albemarle Corporation and Chemtura Corp. Sutton earned a B.S. degree in engineering from Louisiana State University.
“Scott Sutton has a demonstrated track record in the chemicals industry for extracting value through innovative commercial strategies and operational efficiencies,” according to Fischer. “Scott knows our business and our customers and, having served as an Olin director for almost two years, he will hit the ground running. I look forward to working with Scott to ensure a smooth transition and to further enhance the foundation upon which Olin’s future will be built.”
William H. Weideman, Olin’s lead director, stated, “We are very pleased that Scott has agreed to become Olin’s next chief executive officer and to lead Olin as it moves forward. We are also very grateful to John for his successful efforts, first as Olin’s chief financial officer and since 2016 as our chief executive officer, in building Olin’s world-class platform consisting of Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls, Epoxy and Winchester. We appreciate John’s continued support and guidance as executive chairman.”
Olin Corp. is a vertically-integrated global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and a leading U.S. manufacturer of ammunition. The chemical products produced include chlorine and caustic soda, vinyls, epoxies, chlorinated organics, bleach and hydrochloric acid.
Winchester’s principal manufacturing facilities, which are located in East Alton, produce and distribute sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, and industrial cartridges.
Olin traces its roots to two companies, both founded in 1892: Franklin W. Olin’s Equitable Powder Company in East Alton and the Mathieson Alkali Works in Virginia. After being headquartered for many years in Stamford, Conn., it is now headquartered in Clayton, Mo.
Visit www.olin.com for more information on Olin.
