Mike Simko Email & Phone Number

Hoboken, NJ, US

• Through market analysis and trends, product positioning and competitive landscape, shifted the company’s focus from bio-based commodities to bio-based value-add specialty chemicals and polymers.
• Lead the marketing strategy for a patented family of chemistries to bring more durable functional finishes to hydrophilic (wicking) and hydrophobic (DWR) to textiles and carpets. Formulated asset-lite go-to-market.
• Lead the commercial development of a PET 3D printer filament with bio-based additive that double print speed and improve quality over existing polyester alternatives.
• Explored high-value markets for carbonized hydrothermal carbon (HTC) for mechanical rubber goods (MRG), tire reinforcement, and Sodium Ion battery anodes, resulting in commercial evaluations to validate value.
• Introduced bio-based raw materials for the specialty diamines market bringing improved thermal and flame resistance to epoxies and thermoplastic nylon, as well as a pathway to make a bio-based Hexamethylenediamine.

Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

Sustainable Chemicals, Polymers, Materials, Fibers, Textiles, ApparelMarket Analysis and TrendsProduct Positioning and Value PricingCompetitive LandscapeMarket TargetsGo-to-Market Strategy and Product LaunchCommunications Strategy

Hoboken, NJ

• Built global marketing team to provide value-added sourcing services, new textile products, marketing content, and promotional and social media campaigns, growing share of differentiated products.
• Increased customer intimacy throughout the textile value chain and by developing innovative and sustainable textiles solutions for global Brands and Retailers.
• Drove new business development resulting in improved margins and volume growth for spandex, nylon and polyester. Emphasizing new sustainable products including bio-based and recycled spandexes, recycled nylon from.
• Assessed new product development needs, market opportunity analysis, product positioning, pricing strategies, and oversaw go-to-market plans.
• Set new product development direction by evaluating the textile market and consumer trends through close relationships with influential apparel brands and retailers.

Hoboken, NJ

• Developed and executed marketing plans for Dyneema® branded products, the world’s strongest fiber. Grew business through market segment development for ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
• Identified business opportunities and negotiated formal business engagements resulting commercial adoptions for safe, durable and light weight chains to replace heavy steel, baseball stadium safety screening replacing.

Summit, NJ

• Advised several Private Equity firms on Chemical and Fibers space during their due diligence for potential acquisition.
• Consulted for a Fortune 2 company for go-to-market plans for their new polyester micro-fiber innovation and to reposition the acetate production assets into new higher-value markets.
• Guided multiple smaller companies on launching technical innovation, product positioning, portfolio management, pricing/marketing strategy, profit optimization and competitive analysis.

Greater New York City Area

• NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, New York, NY
• Responsible for acquiring innovative chemical treatment technologies to complement INVISTA’s specialty fibers business.
• Identified and evaluated >60 potential acquisition targets, recently incorporating 5 into INVISTA’s portfolio.
• Defined each innovation’s value-in-use and marketing positioning, as well as business model and route to market.
• Successfully negotiated licensing agreements and supply contracts with suppliers in Belgium and Korea.BUSINESS DIRECTOR, New York, NY
• Led start-up team for new and proprietary Polyurethane Urea film technology for stitch free garments, moving from lab-scale to commercial scale.

Greater New York City Area

• GLOBAL PRODUCT MANAGER, New York, NY
• Developed long-range and competitive strategy for textile nylon yarn business ($600MM); implementing production and marketing plans for seven global production sites (U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, U.K. Germany, and.
• Grew the North American nylon textile yarn business by 50% to $270MM by directing eight Account Managers, and planning/allocating six production facilities.
• Integrated Mexican JV into the US/Canadian sales network and successfully implemented $300 million 3-year project, constructing three new production facilities, then shutting down three obsolete ones.
• Created forecasting and planning systems to reduce inventory and working capital.
• Developed and implemented plans to sell under-utilized production assets. ACCOUNT MANAGER, New York, NY

Master Of Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Completed 24 Credits

Master’S Degree, Management

Bachelor Of Engineering - Be, Chemical Engineering