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In This Issue
Progress Toward Clean Energy Has Stalled, IEA Says
Internal Investigators Say EPA Delayed Libby Asbestos Studies

Sattler Corp/Outdura's
New Senior VP of Sales and Marketing

GRAZ, AUSTRIA

 

Global performance fabric manufacturer Sattler AG is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Murphy as senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for the Americas. Based in Sattler's North American headquarters in Hudson, North Carolina, Murphy will provide leadership and overall strategic direction for its Casual Furniture, Marine and Awning business units for the North, Central and South American markets.

 

He brings extensive knowledge in developing and executing sales and marketing strategies that grow revenues and profits for businesses. His experience covers both the wholesale and retail markets, in the textiles, home furnishings and apparel industries.

 

According to Manfred Heissenberger, executive director and CEO of Sattler Corp., "The addition of Jon to the group further demonstrates Sattler's commitment to strengthen our USA business, as well as our continued investment in the expansion and penetration of our brands - Outdura and Sattler. We are pleased to have Jon on our team."

 

Natalie Scott, vice president of Casual Furniture Fabrics, Jeff Jimison, vice president of Marine Fabrics and Steve Weiss, vice president of Awning Fabrics will continue in their current roles and will report to Murphy.

 

Sattler AG, headquartered in Graz Austria, is a fifth generation, family- owned company with a 125-year history in the solution-dyed, acrylic fabric market. It specializes in manufacturing and marketing SDA fabrics for awning, marine, transportation and industrial applications throughout the world.

 

After acquiring the Outdura brand from Shuford Mills, LLC in 2011, Sattler AG combined Sattler North America and Outdura Corp. into Sattler Corp. headquartered in Hudson, North Carolina. Manufacturing, sales and marketing, corporate services and distribution/logistics are all based in Hudson.

Libby Internal Investigators Say EPA

Delayed Libby Asbestos Studies

LIBBY, MONTANA

 

From the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance

 

A report issued last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of the Inspector General faulted the agency for delays in completing health studies that were essential for guiding the clean-up of the town of Libby, the site of one of the country's worse environmental disasters, where hundreds have died or been sickened due to asbestos exposure.

 

The town was first declared a public health emergency in 2009, more than a decade after the EPA first responded to reports that the asbestos-tainted vermiculite in the mines of W.R. Grace and Company was making people sick, both in the mines and in the community.

 

Approximately $447 million has already been spent on clean-up but the town is still under the emergency declaration issued in 2009, reports an article in the Spokesman Review. In 2007, the EPA reported that a formal risk assessment would be completed in 2010. It's still not finished and now isn't expected to be done until 2014.

 

"That should have been the first thing they did," Libby mayor Doug Roll said upon hearing the report. "When something is hurting people - and in this case killing them - you need to find out what's toxic."

 

The report declared that the delays were caused by competing priorities within the agency, contracting problems, and unanticipated work that arose as the very complicated process unfolded.

 

Others in the agency, however, believe the inspector general's report is faulty. EPA acting regional administrator Howard Cantor said the procedures were so complex that it took years to make sure they were done properly, adding that the EPA has already addressed the clean-up of 1,700 homes and commercial properties, resulting in the removal of 1.2 million tons of contaminated soil.

 

The investigators, however, also cited poor communication with the people of Libby, as well as with members of Congress, for the delay. Now, they say, it's time to step up and get it done. Sen. Max Baucus, one of the leading advocates for the asbestos exposure victims in Libby, agrees.

 

In a statement responding to Thursday's report, Baucus said that the EPA needs to avoid its past mistakes and get its studies done quickly.

 

"We need to move forward with this toxicological assessment, so we are making the right decisions based on the right science," Baucus explained. In the meantime, the number of cases of mesothelioma continues to grow and experts expect them to continue to rise as the disease takes its toll on those who were exposed.