MONTREAL, Jan. 31, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NanoXplore Inc. (“NanoXplore” or the “Corporation”) (TSX-V: GRA and US OTC: NNXPF) is pleased to announce the following appointments:
Mr. Rob Wildeboer, currently acting as Executive Chairman of Martinrea International Inc., is joining the Board of Directors of NanoXplore and is appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Mr. Benoît Gascon, Chief Executive Officer of Mason Graphite Inc., who was serving as Chair of the Board of Directors, continues as Vice Chair.
Mr. 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 is pleased to announce the appointment of two new officers. Mr. Rocco Marinaccio, former Vice President – Flexible Manufacturing Group of Martinrea International Inc., and Mr. Denis Bertrand, former Chief Executive Officer of Sigma Industries Inc., will join NanoXplore to act full-time as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Development Officer respectively.
Mr. 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 Flexible Manufacturing Group for all locations. Throughout his time at Martinrea, Mr. Marinaccio oversaw the construction of key facilities in Martinrea, located in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and Riverside, Missouri, as well as the relocation of 2 facilities in Canada.
Mr. 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. Mr. Bertrand’s most recent position was President of Sigma Industries, a leader within the composite industry, that was acquired by NanoXplore in September of 2018.
Soroush Nazarpour, President and CEO of NanoXplore, commented on the appointments: “We are absolutely thrilled to have Rob, Rocco, and Denis join the NanoXplore family. At the Board level, Rob’s experience and guidance will help strategically position the company for long-term success. Rocco’s expertise and leadership within industrial manufacturing will have an immediate impact as the company builds its 10,000 ton/year graphene production facility this year. This will be complemented with Denis’s deep understanding within industrial composites that will help reinforce our sales channels moving forward. I would also like to welcome Rocco and Denis to NanoXplore’s Executive Team joining myself, Luc Veilleux, Chief Financial Officer, and Liam Farrell, Vice-President of Corporate Development. Together, I truly believe we have the expertise in place to become a global leader in graphene production and I’m excited for our shareholders with the opportunities that 2019 has to offer”.
NanoXplore also announces that it has granted a total of 1,500,000 options to certain officers and directors of the Corporation exercisable at a price of $1.41 per share, for a period of five years. The options will vest in three installments, one third upon issuance, one third after one year following issuance, and the last third two years following issuance. The options are granted pursuant to and in accordance with the Corporation’s stock option plan.
Furthermore, in the bought deal private placement of NanoXplore closed on January 11, 2019, the underwriters (National Bank Financial Inc., GMP Securities L.P., Paradigm Capital Inc., Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. and Beacon Securities Limited) have received a cash payment of 5.00% of the aggregate gross proceeds, other than in respect of common shares and debentures subscribed for by certain investors, in which case the underwriters earned a cash fee equal to 2.00% on such amount. The total amount of commission received by the underwriters in this private placement is $649,436.
About NanoXplore Inc.
NanoXplore is a graphene company, a manufacturer and supplier of high-volume graphene powder for use in industrial markets, as well as standard and custom graphene enhanced plastic and composite products. NanoXplore employs approximately 400 people, with production plants in Canada, US, and Switzerland.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please contact:
NanoXplore Inc.
Liam Farrell
Vice President, Corporate Development
[email protected]
