Vibrantz Technologies CEO D. Michael Wilson elects to step down

HOUSTON, Jan. 7, 2025 - Vibrantz Technologies has today announced that President and CEO D. Michael Wilson has elected to step down from his role as president and CEO on January 31, 2025, but will continue to serve as a non-executive director on the company's board. In partnership with private equity partner American Securities LLC, Vibrantz has initiated a search for its next chief executive.

In Wilson's nearly three years at the helm of Vibrantz, he led the organization's successful large-scale integration of Prince, Chromaflo and Ferro into the $2 billion specialty chemicals and materials company that Vibrantz is today. Under his leadership, Vibrantz has:

• Strengthened profitability, improving gross profit and earnings margins by 400+ basis points
• Enhanced workplace safety, reducing recordable injuries by 65%
• Advanced sustainability, receiving Ecovadis' "Committed" distinction
• Established Vibrantz as a recognizable brand
• Built a foundational and engaging corporate culture

"Our accomplishments reflect our strides toward becoming world-class and with the heavy lift of integration now behind us, we are poised for significant growth and value creation moving forward," said Wilson. "Because of our strong position, now is the right time to identify a CEO successor who aligns with our culture and brings continued passion and energy to drive organic and inorganic growth."

"It is rare as a leader to have the opportunity to leave your handprints on a new company of the scale and global reach of Vibrantz," continued Wilson. "I am grateful to American Securities for their trust, and to the Vibrantz leadership team and our 4,000 employees for their tireless efforts. I am both amazed by and proud of all that we have achieved in such a short time. The company's future has never been brighter and I look forward to continuing to serve Vibrantz as a board member, and also creating more time to focus on additional corporate and philanthropic board service and advisory opportunities."

"We have celebrated many milestones with Vibrantz," said Scott Wolff, a managing director of American Securities and chairman of the Vibrantz board of directors. "The team has excelled in cultural and structural integration and we now look forward to the company's next phase as we execute on our strategic growth plan. We are grateful to Michael for his leadership during Vibrantz's foundational first chapter, and we look forward to his continued service to the company as a board member."

About Vibrantz Technologies

Vibrantz is a leading global provider of specialty chemicals and materials solutions whose purpose is to bring color, performance and vibrancy to life. Our technologies improve the functionality, safety and/or aesthetics of products across an array of applications and make their way into myriad consumer products. With key competencies in particle engineering, glass and ceramic science and color technology, Vibrantz has leading positions in specialty mineral and chemical additives for batteries, electronic components, agriculture and construction; pigments for paints and coatings, thermoset plastics and thermoplastics; and high-performance glass coatings and porcelain enamel solutions. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company employs approximately 4,000 people and operates 53 manufacturing sites across six continents. Visit vibrantz.com to learn more.