US-based producer of polyester products Wellman, Inc. is to streamline its organisation in an attempt to improve its ability to deliver value-added products and allow it to operate a more efficient cost structure.

Under the plan the company will reorganise its chemical-based businesses into one segment, combining its polyester fibre and PET resin segments into one business, in order to eliminate duplicate costs and maximise operating performance.

There will be four principal operating roles under the new company structure, Steve Ates will be vice president of Sales and Marketing, Mark Ruday will be vice president of Business Operations, Ian Shaw will be vice president of Manufacturing and Research & Development, and Joe Tucker will be responsible for Raw Material Procurement and Strategic Development. David Styka will replace Mark Ruday as controller and chief accounting officer.

Wellman manufactures PermaClear brand PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging resins and Fortrel brand polyester fibres.