Myers president /CEO retiring

AKRON (July 23, 2015) — John C. Orr, president and CEO of Myers Industries Inc., plans to retire as a company officer effective Dec. 31.

The board of directors of Akron-based Myers has engaged DHR International Inc. to conduct a search for Mr. Orr's successor. The company said the announcement “guarantees adequate time to find the optimal candidate who has the skills to continue the success” of the firm, noting that Mr. Orr will work with the board “to select the best qualified successor and to ensure an orderly transition of the management of the company.”

Mr. Orr, who was hired by Myers in 2000 as part of its succession strategy, became president and CEO in 2005.

As CEO, Myers said “he effected the transformation of the company's operations, including a systematic execution of strategic plans to consolidate the business portfolio of disparate businesses into today's two major operating segments: Distribution and Material Handling.” During his CEO tenure the company said it developed a significant manufacturing presence in Brazil and modernized the legacy Distribution business that started the company in 1933.

Mr. Orr said Myers “has a great future, and it's important to me to work with the board to find a top-rate replacement and to insure an orderly transition. By announcing today, we have time to successfully accomplish this task.”

According to Myers' website, prior to joining the company Mr. Orr had a 28-year career with Goodyear, where he served as vice president of manufacturing for the North American Tire Division since 1996.  He joined the Akron-based tire maker in 1972, holding positions in production and plant management throughout the U.S., Canada and Australia until 1991, when he was named director of manufacturing for Goodyear's Latin American Division.  Mr. Orr is a graduate of Ohio University, with a degree in organizational communication.

Myers website said he “believes strongly in community and supports a number of local organizations,” serving as a director of Akron Children's Hospital, the United Way of Summit County and Libbey Inc., a producer of consumer and industrial glassware.

Myers is an international manufacturer of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial and consumer markets. Its Myers Tire Supply subsidiary is a wholesale distributor of tools, equipment and supplies for the tire, wheel and undervehicle service industry in the U.S.