CD&R hires former VWR International CEO Ballbach

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has hired John Ballbach, former president, chief executive officer and chairman of VWR International, as an operating advisor. Ballbach will take on the role of chairman at Solenis once CD&R completes the acquisition of that business, expected in the third quarter.

Press Release

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (“CD&R”) today announced the engagement of John M. Ballbach, former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of VWR International (“VWR”), as an Operating Advisor to CD&R’s Funds.

Mr. Ballbach has held leadership positions at a range of industrial businesses, including VWR, The Valspar Corporation (NYSE-VAL), American Can Company, and Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He will assume the role of Chairman at Solenis (formerly Ashland Water Technologies) upon the completion of CD&R’s acquisition of the business, expected in the third quarter of 2014.

“John is a trusted leader whose corporate growth and operational improvement skills are well known to our firm,” said Donald J. Gogel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CD&R. “John guided the highly successful transformation of VWR, which resulted in very significant long-term value creation.”

“I’m looking forward to working once again with my friends at CD&R,” said Mr. Ballbach. “The Firm’s values and operating model create the environment for CD&R’s portfolio companies to achieve exceptional operating performance.”

At VWR, Mr. Ballbach served as the President and Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2012 and as Chairman of the Board from 2007 to 2012. With 2013 annual net sales of approximately $4.2 billion, VWR is a leading global laboratory supply and distribution company offering products to a large number of customers in 35 countries, processing approximately 45,000 order lines daily from a logistical network of more than 50 strategically located distribution and regional service centers.

Mr. Ballbach joined the Valspar Corporation in 1990 and served in a variety of senior leadership positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer from 2002 until 2004. Since 2012, Mr. Ballbach has served on the Valspar Board of Directors.

Mr. Ballbach served on the board of The Timken Company (NYSE-TKR) from 2009 until mid-2014. He also previously served as a Director of Celanese Corp. (NYSE-CE). Mr. Ballbach has been a member of The Young Presidents Organization (WPO) and G100. Mr. Ballbach holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Georgetown College, where he is a Trustee Fellow.

About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice

Founded in 1978, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private equity firm with an investment strategy predicated on producing financial returns through building stronger, more profitable businesses. Since inception, CD&R has managed the investment of $19 billion in 59 U.S. and European businesses with an aggregate transaction value of approximately $90 billion. To learn more about CD&R, please visit www.cdr-inc.com.