(Valley Forge, Pa.) – CertainTeed Corporation is bolstering its capacity for industry-leading innovation through the appointment of Minas Apelian as vice president of research and development (R&D). In this newly established position, Apelian will lead the design, development and execution of next generation products and technologies across all CertainTeed business units, which includes siding, ceilings, pipe, foundations, roofing, gypsum and insulation. Apelian will also engage in global collaboration through CertainTeed’s parent company, Saint-Gobain, which was recently recognized as one of Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovators.

“This appointment signals an important milestone in collectively leveraging our robust technical expertise and strengthening collaboration with Saint-Gobain, the world’s largest building materials company,” said John Crowe, president and CEO of CertainTeed Corporation. “With Minas at the helm of our R&D strategy, CertainTeed is well-equipped to meet the growing demand for forward-thinking solutions that maximize performance, comfort and sustainability in the built environment.”

Prior to joining CertainTeed, Apelian served as vice president and general manager at J.M. Huber Corporation. He has also held positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of engineering and innovation at Mobil Oil Corporation. Apelian holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Columbia University and a master’s degree and doctorate in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., has helped shape the building products industry for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm’s slogan “Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed,” quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed® is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, foundations, pipe, insulation, gypsum, ceilings and access covers.

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, the world’s largest building products company, CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 5,700 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. Recognized as a 2009 and 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CertainTeed earned the 2011 and 2012 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award, the highest level of recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. The group had total sales of approximately $3.3 billion in 2012. www.certainteed.com

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