American Vanguard appoints new head of manufacturing

American Vanguard Corporation announced the planned retirement of Douglas Ashmore after a 24-year career as Vice President, Director of Manufacturing for the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary AMVAC Chemical Corporation. John Rizzi who joined the Company over a decade ago and who served as Senior Director of Operations during 2012, has been promoted to Vice President, Director of Manufacturing for AMVAC Chemical.

Mr. Rizzi’s 28-year engineering and manufacturing career includes assignments in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand in addition to his key role as Plant Manager of AMVAC’s largest facility in Axis, Alabama. He has undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and a Certificate in Business Studies from Waikato University, New Zealand.

Eric Wintemute, Chairman & CEO of American Vanguard commented: “John’s manufacturing career includes extensive experience with safe production start-ups, continuous improvement programs, maximizing manufacturing output and handling hazardous materials. He has managed the operation and growth of the Axis facility from the re-start of the plant shortly after acquisition in 2001 to the successful completion of many expansion projects that we have commissioned in recent years. In his new role, John will be responsible for all of AMVAC’s manufacturing plants and in charge of production engineering, supply chain and logistics functions. John’s skill set, leadership qualities and proven record of achievement make us very confident that he will be successful in this new expanded role.”