A. Schulman Names Pojhan Vahabi General Manager For Turkey, Middle East And Africa; Sandor Konya Named Business Unit Leader For Distribution, EMEA

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: SHLM) announced today that Pojhan Vahabi has been named General Manager, Turkey, Middle East and Africa, reflecting the Company's growth in that region. Additionally, Sandor Konya has been named Business Unit Leader for Distribution, EMEA, replacing Vahabi in that role.

"We are aggressively expanding our market position in Turkey, the Middle East and Africa, and Pojhan's efforts have played a key role in our success," said Heinrich Lingnau, Vice President and General Manager, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA).  "His work has included the development of our NatPet joint venture, which produces engineered plastic compounds in Saudi Arabia, and the establishment of our new sales office in the United Arab Emirates.  Pojhan's ongoing leadership will help ensure that we continue to be successful in growing our business in this critical area of the world."

Lingnau added, "Over the past 15 years, Sandor has been instrumental in building our business in Hungary and other countries in Central and Southeast Europe.  His experience in the industry and knowledge of the EMEA markets will serve him well in his new role."  Both Konya and Vahabi will report directly to Lingnau.

Vahabi's new responsibilities will include pursuing A. Schulman's sales, marketing and asset development efforts in Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, expanding the Company's footprint into other nearby states, building strategic alliances to promote growth in existing or adjacent markets, and supporting the Global Procurement Team to establish new sourcing opportunities.  Vahabi joined A. Schulman in 1998, where he has served in a variety of positions from product manager to business unit director in Europe and the Middle East. 

Konya joined A. Schulman in 1998 as the Company's first employee in Hungary.  Most recently, he was A. Schulman's Regional Sales Manager, Masterbatch Solutions and Custom Performance Colors, for the Central and Eastern Europe regions.  He has overseen the rapid growth of the Company's business in countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.

About A. Schulman, Inc.

A. Schulman, Inc. is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins headquartered in Akron, Ohio.  Since 1928, the Company has been providing innovative solutions to meet its customers' demanding requirements.  The Company's customers span a wide range of markets such as packaging, mobility, building & construction, electronics & electrical, agriculture, personal care & hygiene, sports, leisure & home, custom services and others.  The Company employs approximately 3,400 people and has 36 manufacturing facilities globally.  A. Schulman reported net sales of $2.1 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. Additional information about A. Schulman can be found at www.aschulman.com.

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