(Trexel, Inc., Wilmington, MA August 17, 2022) … It is with deep sadness that Trexel announces the loss of Brian Bechard, our President & CEO. Brian passed away suddenly of a heart attack while competing in a rowing race on the Merrimack River on August 6, 2022. While taken too soon, he was engaging his athletic passions and doing what he loved. He was 48 years old. Brian has served as CEO of Trexel since 2015. His leadership, energy, and commitment to the Company were extraordinary.
As a result of his leadership and vison Trexel was able to advance its MuCell Technology into new markets and applications. When Brian arrived at the company, Trexel predominantly supplied its proprietary foaming technology to the automotive industry. Today, while continuing to serve the automotive industry, Trexel has not only the most advanced foaming technology in the world, but products and customers in packaging, footwear, blow molding, and electronics as well as advanced initiatives in the EV market.
Brian is described by his international team at Trexel as open, fair, and supportive, and was a respected role model to many. He was a man of integrity and strength, always having a positive, but straightforward outlook. These attributes served him and Trexel well as he deepened and expanded our relationships with our key partners globally. He earned the unanimous admiration and support of Trexel’s Board of Directors.
Before joining Trexel in 2015, Brian ran businesses in Europe and North America for Synventive, managed an injection and extrusion molding plant for Avery Dennison, and served as a combat engineering officer in the US Army. Brian is a graduate of West Point and received his MBA from Harvard Business School.
As great as this loss is for Trexel it is overwhelming for his wife, Patty, and their two sons Nathan and Evan. They too are part of the Trexel family, and we will continue to support them through this challenging time.
As Trexel undertakes its search for a CEO, David Bernstein, Chairman of the Board will serve as Interim CEO (d.bernstein@trexel.com +1 (781-266-7363). Day to day management will be handled by V.P. Engineering Levi Kishbaugh +1(781) 266-7354 (l.kishbaugh@trexel.com and V.P. Finance and Operations Petr Janik p.janik@trexel.com +1 (603) 289-2253.
Brian Bechard
About Trexel, Inc.
Trexel, Inc., headquartered in Wilmington, MA, has led the development of the MuCell® microcellular foaming injection molding technology and has pioneered many plastic processing solutions. The MuCell® technology provides unique design flexibility and cost savings opportunities by allowing plastic part design with material wall thickness optimized for functionality and not for the injection molding process. The combination of density reduction and design for functionality often results in material and weight savings of more than 20%. The numerous cost and processing advantages have led to rapid global deployment of the MuCell® process in automotive, consumer electronics, medical, packaging and consumer goods applications. Process deployment as well as equipment is supported by teams of highly qualified engineers through Trexel subsidiaries in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Trexel extended its product offering with the TecoCell® system. TecoCell is a unique chemical foaming and nucleating agent technology that provides uniform microcellular structure to molded parts.
For more information, please visit www.trexel.com.
® MuCell is a registered trademark of Trexel, Inc
® TecoCell is a registered trademark of Trexel, Inc
