Session Descriptions

1001: Supply Chain Resiliency - A Tactical Approach to Designing Structural Flexibility 
Location: Fort Worth 4

Featuring representatives from manufacturing, distribution, and legal, this fireside chat will focus on how specialty chemical manufacturers have adapted to existing supply chain challenges. SOCMA members Genesis and Aceto will walk through how they tackled and developed approaches to ensure inbound and outbound shipments meet their customers' needs and manufacturing capabilities.  
 _{Panelists: 
Phillip Bales, Genesis Custom Chemical Blending 
Patrick Bower, Aceto
Moderator: Jason Tutrone, Thompson Hine}

1002: No Comment is Not an Option – A Practical Guide on Communicating an Incident at Your Facility
Location: Fort Worth 5

This is the session you don’t think you need and it’s more applicable than you think. Silence is not an option with your customers, suppliers, project partners, community and the press. Join SOCMA members representing plant teams, public relations, legal, and insurance representatives for a practical discussion on why having your action plan ready to execute is vital before a facility incident hits the evening news.  Panelists will also share best practices on maintaining good working relationships with all stakeholders and how being a good neighbor will dictate how a crisis can be managed to ensure the best possible outcome.

_{Panelists:
Bill Atkins, Ascensus Specialties
Leonard Greenberger, AKCG
Mark Henriques, Womble Bond Dickinson
Todd Pickard, McGriff
Moderator: Kate Donahue, Hampford Research, Inc}

2001: It Just Makes ‘Cents’: How to Get Superfund Tax Recoveries for Your Manufactured Chemicals
Location: Fort Worth 4

Learn how chemical manufacturing companies can recover taxes under the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which re-enacted the Superfund Excise Taxes. Find out if your manufactured items are considered taxable substances eligible for refunds.
_{Panelists:
Alessandra Mediago, Charter Brokerage LLC
Matthew Anderson, Charter Brokerage LLC}

2002: Leveraging New Tools to Grow Business Connections
Location: Fort Worth 5

Adaptability is crucial in expanding your business; staying in touch with existing customers and reaching new ones will determine whether your company will grow in the post-pandemic climate. Gain insight from industry executives on how they are leveraging and maximizing new and existing tools to stay in front of their customers and identify new ones.

Learn how SOCMA’s Commercial Services provide new avenues to connect with a broader base of customers.
_{Panelists:
Ken Zrebiec, Johnson Matthey
Peter Brown, Notch Communications
Moderator: Paul Hirsh, SOCMA}

3001: Utilizing Tax Incentives to Accelerate Innovation
Location: Fort Worth 4

How can your chemical company take advantage of one of the most lucrative financial incentives offered in the U.S.? Many companies do not realize their eligibility for the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit and how it catalyzes growth to remain competitive. The session also features case studies and will convey opportunities for what qualifies and what does not under the R&D tax credit.
_{Panelist: Yair Holtzman, Anchin}

3002: Passing the Baton – Leveraging Generational Differences to Improve Culture and Grow Your Company
Location: Fort Worth 5

As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s important for your company to establish strong collaboration within “the team.” Join SOCMA members representing a wide variety of roles across the specialty chemicals space for a fireside chat on how you can strengthen your company culture, bring about tangible results and promote growth through teamwork among colleagues at all career stages. 
_{Panelists: 
Alan Dyke, Boulder Scientific Company
Will Mullen, Nation Ford Chemical
Ashley Brown, Ingevity
Mara Gliozzi, McGean
Larry Ito, Halliburton
Moderator: Alyse Keller, SOCMA}

4001: Managing the Global Supply Chain: Avoiding Disruption
Location: Fort Worth 4

How your company relies on the global supply chain may vary, but many key raw materials used by specialty chemical manufacturers originate in China. Hear how one company with a footprint in China responds to customer needs in light of current global supply chain disruptions. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the geopolitical and EHS regulatory landscape and how it’s impacting chemicals globally.
_{Panelists:
Lihong Yu, PHT International
Robert Kiefer, REACH24H USA Inc.
Moderator: Irina Vaysfeld, KPMG}

4002: Cultivating a Sustainability Journey Utilizing an EcoVadis Assessment: A Case Study
Location: Fort Worth 5

Sustainability is an essential factor for smart business today, whether you are fulfilling a customer’s request or improving your own internal processes. Hear how one company is utilizing EcoVadis to implement lasting sustainability initiatives into the very core of its values and culture. Learn how your company can take practical steps to reframe what you’re already doing through the lens of sustainability.
_{Panelist: David Mielke, ChemDesign
Moderator: Sandy Cernick, Pressure Chemical}

General Session 1:
COVID’s Impact on M&A and Unpacking Private Company Valuation
Location: Fort Worth Ballroom

2021 was a historic year in M&A with specialty chemical companies trading at a premium. In thinking about selling or merging companies, industry leaders need a clear understanding of their organization’s value and the factors driving it. Join top M&A and PE experts as they share critical insight on the process, clear up misconceptions, and leave you with key takeaways and things you wish your future partners knew.  
_{Panelists:
Kevin Yttre, Grace Matthews 
Bob Girton, Edgewater Capital Partners 
Moderator: John Zuppo, Synalloy} 

Supply chain and other sourcing factors are causing disruption for specialty chemical manufacturing. Join our panel of industry leaders in the procurement and contract/toll manufacturing space as they delve into:

• Factors impacting decision-making procedures
• Creative approaches companies are taking to meet customer need
• Ways buyers and tollers are redefining their core businesses
• Unpredictability of CapEx expansion and growth

_{Panelists:
Jessie Walters, Evonik
Sam Pathak, BASF
Keith Edwards, Dow 
Moderator: Joe Dettinger, SOCMA}