Nov 16, 2017
Ingevity celebrates 40 years of operations in DeRidder
PRESS RELEASE
DERIDDER, La., Nov. 16, 2017 – More than 400 Ingevity employees and family members gathered recently to celebrate the rich history of the company’s DeRidder, La., facility. More than 200 employees work at the plant, which manufactures emulsifiers, rosin and tall oil fatty acid (TOFA) used in the production of inks, adhesives, and metalworking fluids.
The facility began operating as Westvaco in 1977. It operated under the names MeadWestvaco and MWV before becoming Ingevity in 2016 after spinning off from its parent company, WestRock. Danny Kyle, plant manager, stated, “We have a long history of growth in DeRidder. That growth is attributable to the team of employees who work hard every day, who are committed to seeing positive results, and who are proud to call DeRidder home.”
The anniversary celebration, held on Oct. 21, consisted of food, entertainment and cakes that featured logos from the company’s past and present: Westvaco, MeadWestvaco, MWV and Ingevity. There was even a cake designed with a logo for Crosby Chemicals, the company who originally opened the facility in 1945 and sold it to its current owners in 1977.
Attendees could compete in a washer board tournament, a game where washers are tossed at a hole to earn points. Jonathon Pousson, warehouse operator, and his brother, Jacob, won a Yeti cooler as the coveted first place prize. Other attractions included a tethered hot air balloon for safe exploration; a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and a bouncy house for young party goers; and nine-hole golf, an obstacle course, casino games, a climbing wall, double shot basketball, team ski relay and tug of war for the adventurer in us all.
Longevity is not only a key characteristic for the company, it’s part of the Ingevity name, which was developed from portions of the company’s core attributes: innovation, ingenuity, genuine and longevity. “We look forward to another 40 years of operational excellence,” Kyle said.
Ingevity: Purify, Protect and Enhance
Ingevity provides specialty chemicals and high-performance carbon materials and technologies that help customers solve complex problems. These products are used in a variety of demanding applications, including asphalt paving, oil exploration and production, agrochemicals, adhesives, lubricants, printing inks and automotive components that reduce gasoline vapor emissions. Through a team of talented and experienced people, Ingevity develops, manufactures and brings to market products and processes that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Headquartered in North Charleston, S.C., Ingevity operates from 25 locations around the world and employs approximately 1,500 people. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NGVT). For more information, visit www.ingevity.com.
