LeaderShift Blog

KIK Custom Products (“KIK”), one of the largest custom manufacturers of national brand and retailer brand personal care and household products, today announced that Jeffrey M. Nodland has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and that Ben W. Kaak has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Both appointments are effective today. Mr. Nodland succeeds Paul Richardson, who joined the Company as President in 2005, has served as President and CEO since May 2007, and is retiring from the Company for health reasons. Mr. Kaak succeeds S. Randall Smallbone who will remain with KIK as Treasurer for a transition period. Steven M Lefkowitz, a member of the KIK Board of Directors, said: “We are pleased towelcome Jeff Nodland to KIK. Jeff brings a remarkable track record of leadership, with broad experience in strategy, manufacturing, operations, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, creating considerable value in each of his prior roles. We are confident that he will enhance KIK’s growth initiatives and customer relationships, create new opportunities for employees, and build upon strong relationships with vendors and business partners.”

“The entire Board extends its thanks to Paul Richardson for his leadership and substantial contributions to KIK’s development. We are pleased that we will continue to benefit from Paul’s global experience in retailer branded products and contract manufacturing as he remains an active member of the Board.” said Mr. Lefkowitz.

Mr. Nodland, 52, joins KIK after a 30-year career in specialty chemicals and coatings manufacturing, most recently serving as President of the Coatings and Inks Division of Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc., a former unit of Eastman Chemical acquired by Apollo Management in 2004 and subsequently merged into Hexion in 2005. Mr. Nodland served as President and COO of Resolution Performance Products from 2001 to 2004, a former epoxy resins business of Shell Chemical that was also acquired by Apollo Management in 2000. From 1991 through 2001, Mr. Nodland led McWhorter Technologies, a specialty chemical company spun off by The Valspar Corporation in 1994, serving first as Division President, then CFO and COO, and ultimately as CEO and President of the business.

In commenting on his appointment, Mr. Nodland said: “I am excited to begin my new role at KIK, which has distinguished itself for the breadth and depth of the services it provides to leading global personal care and household products companies. Paul Richardson and his management team have made significant progress in positioning KIK for the next stage of its growth. I look forward to working with our customers, employees and other stakeholders as we build upon that foundation to enhance the Company’s existing service offerings and pursue significant opportunities for growth.”

Mr. Nodland holds an MBA from the College of St. Thomas and a BA, Business Administration, from Augsburg College.

Coca-Cola Obtains Share of Honest Tea

The Coca-Cola Company and Honest Tea Inc. have completed an agreement resulting in Coca-Cola holding approximately 40 percent interest in the fast-growing maker of certified organic beverages, including the best-selling Honest Tea. Coca-Cola may elect to buy, and the remaining Honest Tea shareholders may elect to sell to Coca-Cola, the outstanding interest not currently owned by Coca-Cola in the future. “As more consumers become aware of how their decisions impact the health of the planet and themselves, we are thrilled to receive this investment from the world’s largest beverage company to help take our brand and our mission to a larger scale and wider audience,” says Seth Goldman, co-founder and TeaEO, Honest Tea. The strategic opportunity was identified by Coca-Cola North America’s Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) Business Unit. “Honest Tea is on the forefront of the rapidly growing organic beverage business, and Seth Goldman and his management team have successfully anticipated and met consumer needs in this expanding category,” says Deryck van Rensburg, president and general manager, Venturing and Emerging Brands, Coca-Cola North America. “This transaction is a superb example of our mission in VEB to seek out and invest in the best beverage entrepreneurs and the highest growth-potential beverages.” 

Ciba-Vision division of Novartis appoints Director of Operations

Ciba-Vision appoints Servio Ruiz Director of Operations. Servio comes to CIBA Vision after completing his coursework as a Sloan Fellow at the University of London. His prior work experience includes increasingly responsible positions with Delphi and Trico Automotive Technologies, Invensys Appliance Controls and Johnson and Johnson. At J&J Servio gained experience in both the Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical divisions.

His training and education include a BS in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey Mexico, studies in executive development as a Sloan Fellow at the London Business School and Six Sigma Black Belt certification.