Robert Shengkui Hu has joined The HallStar Company’s senior management team as vice president, research and development. He will initially report to and replace Gary Wentworth, who will retire from the specialty chemical company this year after overseeing the transition of his responsibilities.
“Robert’s background makes him an ideal fit for HallStar,” said John Paro, HallStar chairman, president, & CEO. “His experience with industrial coatings, photochemical science, and global markets goes a long way in easing the transition that Gary’s retirement brings.” Before joining HallStar, Dr Hu served as vice president of global technology at Beckers Consumer Design Finishes (CDF), a division of Beckers Industrial Coatings/Lindengruppen, which specialises in innovative coatings for consumer electronics and household appliances. He managed a technical team of 80 people in Asia, Europe, and North America, and was responsible for the division’s R&D strategy and patent portfolio. Prior to Beckers, he held several key positions at PPG Industries, including technical director, Industrial Coatings in the Asia Pacific region. Based in China, he led an international team of 250 and established technical organisations in developing countries to support the company’s global growth. “Robert’s expertise in establishing and running international technical organizations aligns with HallStar’s expanding global presence,” said Gary Wentworth, retiring vice president of R&D, HallStar. “He is going to help this company move into new arenas with confidence.” Dr Hu has a PhD in Photochemical Science from Bowling Green State University and has completed MBA training from the University of Pittsburgh.
