TOLEDO, Ohio, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Libbey Inc. today announced Jean-Rene Gougelet has joined its Board of Directors, effective with today's Board of Directors meeting. As a member of Class I of the Board, he will serve until the Libbey Annual Stockholder Meeting in 2009 or until his successor is elected.
Mr. Gougelet is currently a Strategy Consultant with Vido Enterprises, providing guidance in strategic planning and growth management to middle market companies. Prior to joining Vido Enterprises he served at Arc International in Secaucus, New Jersey as Chief Executive Officer of its Mikasa business from 2001 through 2005. He also served from 1991 through 2001 and 2003 through 2005 as the Chief Executive Officer of Arc North America in Millville, New Jersey.
Commenting on the new director, John F. Meier, Libbey Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated," Libbey is excited to have Jean-Rene Gougelet join our Board. His extensive background and experience in the marketplace, both in North America and internationally will contribute greatly to the opportunities the company sees for the future."
Mr. Gougelet was elected a director by the Board upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Governance Committee. With the addition of Mr. Gougelet, the Libbey board of directors now numbers nine members, of which seven are outside directors.
Libbey Inc.:
-- is the largest manufacturer of glass tableware in the western
hemisphere and one of the largest glass tableware manufacturers in the
world;
-- is expanding its international presence with facilities in Mexico, the
Netherlands, Portugal, and a facility in China that started production
in 2007;
-- is the leading manufacturer of tabletop products for the U.S.
foodservice industry; and
-- supplies products to foodservice, retail, industrial and business-to-
business customers in over 100 countries.
Based in Toledo, Ohio, the Company operates glass tableware manufacturing plants in the United States in Louisiana and Ohio, as well as in Mexico, China, Portugal and the Netherlands. Its Crisa subsidiary, located in Monterrey, Mexico, is the leading producer of glass tableware in Mexico and Latin America. Its Royal Leerdam subsidiary, located in Leerdam, Netherlands, is among the world leaders in producing and selling glass stemware to retail, foodservice and industrial clients. Its Crisal subsidiary, located in Portugal, provides an expanded presence in Europe. Its Syracuse China subsidiary designs, manufactures and distributes an extensive line of high-quality ceramic dinnerware, principally for foodservice establishments in the United States. Its World Tableware subsidiary imports and sells a full-line of metal flatware and holloware and an assortment of ceramic dinnerware and other tabletop items principally for foodservice establishments in the United States. Its Traex subsidiary, located in Wisconsin, designs, manufactures and distributes an extensive line of plastic items for the foodservice industry. In 2006, Libbey Inc.'s net sales totaled $689.5 million.
