Sovereign Specialty Chemicals Announces Management Appointment

Sovereign Specialty Chemicals Inc., Chicago, IL, today announced that John R. Mellett has been named VP and CFO. Mellett joins Sovereign from Zurn Industries in Dallas, TX, where he held a similar position.

Mellett began his career in auditing and public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand, followed by positions as controller or chief financial officer for several corporations in the Midwest. He was also VP and GM at Ranco North America, where he had profit and loss responsibilities.

"We are happy to have John become a part of our organization,'' said Robert B. Covalt, chairman and CEO of Sovereign. "His national and international experience will prove to be invaluable to Sovereign Specialty Chemicals as we continue to grow."

Sovereign Specialty Chemicals was created in 1996 specifically to acquire and consolidate specialty chemical businesses with funding from a limited partnership formed by First Chicago Equity Capital, Waud Capital Partners and Covalt. The company's focus is on the adhesives, sealants and coatings segments of the specialty chemicals industry. Among its acquisitions in 1998 were the Coatings & Adhesives Division of K.J. Quinn & Co. Inc. and the PL brand product line from ChemRex Inc. Acquisitions in 1997 included the U.S. adhesives, sealants and coatings divisions of Laporte PLC; and in 1996, the Adhesive Systems division of B.F. Goodrich and Pierce & Stevens, a developer and manufacturer of specialty coatings and adhesives.