Functional Products Inc. has announced that Ralph G. Beard will become their new Director of Corporate Development and Special Projects effective October 1st 2014. Beard joins Functional Products from Dorf Ketal Chemicals, where he was the Global Technical and Business Development Manager – Lubricant Additives.

“Ralph has been a recognized leader within the lubrication industry for many years now. He brings to us a unique combination of technical and marketing skills coupled with an immense amount of experience,” says David DeVore, Functional Products President. “His knowledge and experience will help Functional Products continue to grow by identifying both existing and new opportunities to support customers throughout the lubricant manufacturing market place as invest more into the business." Leading up to his tenure with Dorf Ketal, Mr. Beard has held positions in both the lubricant raw material field and finished products over his long career. He owned and operated a successful lubricant additive and component distributor in the Southern US. More recently, he has worked to initiate and drive the first ever formal undergraduate program in tribology and lubrication science in North America at his alma mater, Auburn University. He was recently named Chairman, of the Auburn Tribology minor’s prestigious industry advisory board.

“Functional Products has a long history of having a broad line of specialty lubricant components and serving its customers with both technology and business commitment to their needs.” says Beard, “ I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to bring my background and expertise to this fine, high growth company, I am especially gratified to know that as I approach the last part of my career, that I can contribute to Functional Products and that they, with their commitment to our industry are fully behind what we are accomplishing for the industry as a whole through the Auburn Tribology Program."

“Ralph will continue to live in Montgomery Alabama with his wife Janet as he begins his new responsibilities on behalf of Functional Products. We are delighted to welcome them both to our growing corporate family and truly value his ongoing, active contribution to the Auburn Tribology Program.”, said DeVore.

Since 1985 Functional Products has formulated and manufactured lubricant additives from its headquarter plant in Macedonia Ohio, which is currently undergoing another round of plant expansion. The company’s technical expertise is the use of polymers in lubricants including multiple polymer types and base fluids.