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ARLINGTON, Texas, October 7, 2024 – GracoRoberts announced that it has appointed Rence Winetrout as its new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for the GracoRoberts family of brands, made up of GracoRoberts, UK-based Silmid, SkyGeek.com, and ready-to-ship composites leader Pacific Coast Composites.
In his role, Mr. Winetrout will lead our digital transformation journey across the global enterprise, helping to cement our standing as the largest, fastest, and most technical aerospace specialty chemicals distributor in the world and advancing our position as a category creator in eCommerce distribution.
Specifically, Rence will provide strategic leadership and oversight across our global eCommerce portfolio and digital offerings, evolving and differentiating three ecommerce sites that each serve a unique customer base and offer a frictionless path to buying specialty chemicals through usability, exceptional service, and immediate access to products. Rence and his team will be keenly focused on driving growth, creating new customer value, and developing user experiences that bring speed and ease to the online transaction.
Rence commented on his decision to join GracoRoberts. “At GracoRoberts, we are not just participating in the eCommerce revolution; we are leading it. Our commitment to delivering innovative, frictionless solutions for specialty chemical procurement positions us at the forefront of the aerospace industry. With our established platforms—SkyGeek, Silmid, and GracoRoberts.com—we are redefining customer experiences and setting new standards for what it means to shop online in this space. I’m excited to drive this vision forward and continue our journey of disruption and growth.”
Jason Caldwell, President and CEO, offered his thoughts on the newest addition to his Executive Leadership Team and plans for growth. “As we embrace the digital transformation of our business, our vision extends beyond leadership in aerospace specialty chemicals—we aim to be true category creators in eCommerce distribution. By prioritizing innovation and customer-centric solutions, we are not only streamlining the purchasing process but also redefining how our industry interacts with technology. With Rence’s expertise at the helm, we are poised to pioneer new channels and experiences that will set us apart and elevate the standard for our customers.”
Rence brings over 20 years of ecommerce, digital transformation, and classic distribution experience to GracoRoberts. Prior to this role, he served as VP of eCommerce & Digital Growth at foodservice distribution giant Sysco Corporation (SYY) and Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP). Rence has worked at fortune 500, growth, and start-up organizations in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and is a recognized B2B and DTC eCommerce industry expert.
About GracoRoberts
Headquartered in Arlington, TX, GracoRoberts (www.gracoroberts.com) is the single largest, fastest, and most technically focused specialty chemicals distributor to serve the global aerospace market. We are a full-service supplier of complex engineered materials for aerospace OEM and MRO segments, composites, electronics, and other advanced manufacturing industries. We are fully AS- and ISO-certified and authorized to distribute 3M, Airtech, Akzo Nobel, Castrol, Eastman, Henkel, Hexcel, Huntsman, ITW Polymers, Mask-Off, Momentive, Resin Formulators, Scott Bader, Sika, and Zip Chem, and can source other providers upon request. We differentiate by adding value: services include world-class ecommerce available through three websites (www.skygeek.com, www.silmid.com, and www.gracoroberts.com), global distribution, custom formulation, specialty packaging, vendor managed inventory, intermix and kitting services, defense logistics and compliance, and an on-staff Chemist, lab, and testing facility. GracoRoberts prides itself in delivering superior engineered materials with impeccable support to thousands of customers from more than 65 countries around the globe.
About CM Equity Partners
CM Equity Partners (www.cmequity.com), based in New York, NY, provides capital to the Federal services and aerospace and defense industries. For 30 years, CMEP has partnered with management teams to build enduring value by leveraging its industry knowledge, relationships, operating experience, and its corporate finance, M&A, and private equity expertise. CMEP employs an active and collaborative management approach, developing long-term strategic plans and guiding decisions on re-investment of profits to grow and broaden a company’s revenue base and capabilities. CMEP’s investments are structured with flexibility across a broad spectrum of the capital structure, including equity, structured equity, and mezzanine debt.
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Contact Info:
Allison Lombardo
Chief Marketing Officer
GracoRoberts
alombardo@gracoroberts.com
