NanoXplore fills three executive positions

February 4, 2019 – NanoXplore Inc., a Montreal-based manufacturer and supplier of high-volume graphene powder for use in industrial markets, recently announced several new appointments. 

Rob Wildeboer, currently acting as executive chairman of Martinrea International Inc., is joining the board of directors of NanoXplore as chair. Benoît Gascon, chief executive officer of Mason Graphite Inc., who was serving as chair of the board of directors, will continue as vice-chair.

Wildeboer co-founded Martinrea International Inc., a global auto parts supplier, specializing in automotive fluid systems and metal forming products. With his leadership, the company now has 15,000 employees at 44 divisions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe and China. He is also an active member of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Counsel (CAPC) and a present and past advisor to the governments of Canada and Ontario on a variety of economic, trade, innovation, manufacturing and automotive mandates.

In addition, NanoXplore has appointed Rocco Marinaccio, former vice-president of the Flexible Manufacturing Group at Martinrea International Inc., as chief operating officer, and Denis Bertrand, former CEO of Sigma Industries Inc., as chief business development officer.

Marinaccio has been with Martinrea International Inc. since its inception. During his time with the company, he has held multiple positions including material production and logistics manager, general manager, director of modules, and most recently vice-president of the Flexible Manufacturing Group for all locations. Throughout his time at Martinrea, Marinaccio oversaw the construction of key facilities in Martinrea, located in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and Riverside, Missouri, as well as the relocation of two facilities in Canada.

Bertrand has over 20 years of experience within composites and industrial manufacturing. During his career, he has held senior management positions for several public companies that included general manager for Magna’s Specialty Vehicle Engineering and vice-president of operations for Groupe Bocenor. Bertrand’s most recent position was president of Sigma Industries, a leader within the composite industry, which was acquired by NanoXplore in September of 2018.

NanoXplore employs approximately 400 people, with production plants in Canada, U.S. and Switzerland.