Exton, PA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 21, 2003/- Principia Partners, a leading business consulting firm serving the materials and related manufacturing goods industries, has established a new practice to meet the needs of companies participating in the minerals and reinforcements industries. A particular focus for the newly formed practice will be to help clients identify growth opportunities within the plastics industry, already a key market served for Principia.

Carl Eckert and Steve Van Kouteren have joined the firm to lead this effort, and bring over 45 years of combined industry and consulting experience. Specific areas of expertise include extenders and fillers, natural and specialty reinforcements, and functional minerals like organoclays. These products are sold into a broad number of plastics markets, including automotive, electronics, appliances, and building & construction, among others.

Carl has over 25 years of consulting experience in the chemicals and materials industries. He is a former Senior Vice President with Kline & Company, and was specifically responsible for overseeing that firm's Minerals and Materials practice over the past 15 years. In this capacity, he developed and led strategic engagements for the leading minerals companies around the world, including numerous assignments focused on opportunities for minerals and reinforcements in plastics. In addition, he has spoken at major industry conferences on strategies in selling to the plastics industry.

Steve has worked extensively in the mining and raw material processing industries, and as a consultant working with companies in developing business strategies over the past 20 years. Industry experience includes strategic marketing roles at Essroc Materials. He previously worked for Kline & Company. Prior to joining Kline & Company, Steve worked as an Minerals Economist with the Bureau of Land Management, and as a geologist for Newmont Mining.

The Minerals and Reinforcements practice will be staffed by several of Principia's most experienced consultants and new hires are planned to support this area. These individuals have both engineering and marketing backgrounds which allow for a more insightful ability to interpret the commercial impact of the technical developments taking hold in these markets.

"We're pleased and excited about Carl and Steve joining Principia, and bringing their seasoned expertise to serve mineral and reinforcement producers. Their extensive backgrounds will be invaluable in helping to shape the growth and direction of our business" states Lou Rossi, Senior Partner at Principia.

Principia Partners is an international business consulting firm serving the plastics, building products, packaging, metals, and specialty chemicals industries. For more information about any of the Firm's activities in minerals and reinforcements or its capabilities in general, visit the company's web site at www.PrincipiaConsulting.com.

Contact: Principia Partners
Carl Eckert, 800/378-8330 ext. 241
CEckert@PrincipiaConsulting.com
Steve Van Kouteren, 800/378-8330 ext. 242
SteveVK@PrincipiaConsulting.com