WEST CHESTER, Pa., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- VWR International, a leader in the global research laboratory industry, today announced the appointments of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) Principals Charles A. Banks and George K. Jaquette to VWR's Board of Directors. Mr. Banks will succeed Mr. James W. Rogers as VWR Chairman of the Board; Mr. Jaquette will replace CD&R Chairman Mr. Joseph L. Rice as a VWR Board Member.
Charles A. Banks is currently an Operating Principal of CD&R. Mr. Banks joined CD&R earlier this year after retiring as CEO of Wolseley PLC, a London- based distributor of building materials to construction contractors and to industry. Prior to becoming CEO of Wolseley in 2001, Mr. Banks was President of Newport News, Virginia-based Ferguson Enterprises, which was acquired by Wolseley. In total, he spent nearly 40 years with Wolseley and its acquired companies.
George K. Jaquette is a professional employee of CD&R. He worked on CD&R's 2004 investment in VWR, and has since participated in ongoing financing and operating activities with the Board and the VWR finance team. Prior to joining CD&R in 1999, he worked in the Principal Investment Area and Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs & Co.
John Ballbach, VWR's President and CEO, commented, "We are very pleased to have Charlie and George join our Board of Directors. Charlie has nearly 40 years of global distribution experience from his time at Wolseley, which will be of great value to VWR, and George has been actively involved with the Company since CD&R made its investment. We want to extend our thanks to Jim Rogers and Joe Rice for their significant contributions to the Board and to the Company."
About VWR International, Inc.
VWR International is a leader in the global research laboratory industry with worldwide sales in excess of $3.1 billion US dollars. VWR's business is highly diversified across products and services, geographic regions and customer segments. The company offers products from more than 2,500 manufacturers, to over 250,000 customers primarily in North America, Europe and other locations. VWR's principal customers are major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, technology, clinical, food processing and consumer product companies; universities and research institutes; governmental agencies; environmental testing organizations; and primary and secondary schools. VWR distributes a diversified product mix, including chemicals, glassware and plasticware, equipment and instruments, furniture, protective apparel, production and safety products, and other life science and laboratory products and supplies. VWR supports its customers by providing storeroom management, product procurement, supply chain systems integration, technical services and laboratory bench top delivery. VWR maintains operations in over 20 countries and employs over 6,000 people worldwide. The VWR International Group is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania. VWR-G
For more information on VWR International, phone (800) 932-5000 or visit www.vwr.com, or write, VWR International, Inc., 1310 Goshen Parkway, P.O. Box 2656, West Chester, PA 19380-0906.
VWR and design are registered trademarks of VWR International, Inc.
VWR International, Inc.CONTACT: Robin Gervasoni of VWR International, Inc., +1-610-430-7258, Fax- +1-610-719-7099, robin_gervasoni@vwr.com
Web site: http://www.vwr.com/
