Solutia Hires Kent Davies to Lead CPFilms Business

In this role, Davies will report directly to Jeff Quinn, president and CEO of Solutia Inc., a reporting relationship that signifies the heightened level of importance CPFilms will play in Solutia's future.

"CPFilms is a critical growth engine for Solutia," said Quinn. "It has the leading position in a growing market. With Kent's proven track record for achieving profitable growth, I am confident he is the best person to take CPFilms to an even higher degree of success in the future."

CPFilms is the world's largest manufacturer of window films, which are used primarily by consumers to improve the solar control and security properties of the windows in their homes and automobiles. CPFilms is the manufacturer of LLumar, the world's best-selling brand of professionally installed window films, as well as several other leading brands.

"I am thrilled to lead such a great organization," said Davies. "CPFilms has a tradition of innovation, market-leading brands, and intense customer focus. I am confident that we can build on that winning foundation while accelerating our pace of growth and meeting the needs of more customers in more markets around the world. We will build on our current leadership position and utilize our significant capabilities to own the momentum in our growing markets."

Davies, 42, most recently held the position of senior vice president of marketing, research and development, and regulatory affairs for United Industries Corp., the second largest and most rapidly growing company in the U.S. consumer lawn and garden and household insect control markets. Prior to that, he served in general management and marketing capacities at Kimberly- Clark Corp., in global product strategy, new product development, and new product introduction roles at 3M, and in sales and sales management positions at General Mills. Davies earned an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Ken Vickers, previously president of CPFilms, has been named chairman emeritus. He will continue to play a critically important role in CPFilms, assisting Davies in his strategy to take the business to its next level of growth.

"Under Ken's leadership, CPFilms has grown to become the market leader in the window film and precision-coated films' markets," said Quinn. "I am confident he will approach his new role with the drive and enthusiasm that have helped make CPFilms into the strong company it is today."

CPFilms is the manufacturer of LLumar, LLumar Magnum, Vista, Formula One, and Gila brands of window films, as well as Halcyon Shades. Its products are widely used for solar control and security applications as a glass enhancement product installed on the interior of windows and doors. In addition, the company manufactures specialty dyed, coated, metallized, and sputter- deposition films and laminates for a variety of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications.