false0001000623 0001000623 2019-10-18 2019-10-18


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 18, 2019

 1-13948
(Commission file number)
SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
62-1612879
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
100 North Point Center East,
Suite 600
 
 
Alpharetta,
Georgia
 
30022
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)


1-800-514-0186
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act. (17 CFR 230.425)
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act. (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act. (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act. (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.10 par value
 
SWM
 
New York Stock Exchange

  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
  If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.





Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Retirement and Transition of Michel Fievez, Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers

On October 18, 2019, Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Michel Fievez, Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers, will retire from his role effective December 31, 2019 (the “Transition Date”).
In connection with Mr. Fievez’s retirement, the Company and Mr. Fievez entered into a Mutual Agreement for the Termination of Employment (the “Termination Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Fievez will continue to receive his salary and accrued benefits (as described in the Company’s 2019 proxy statement) for the rest of 2019. Mr. Fievez also agreed to forfeit the $100,000 payment to which he was entitled under the Letter Agreement dated June 6, 2019 between Mr. Fievez and the Company. His unvested time-based, cliff-based restricted stock awards and 2018 performance-based awards will fully vest on the Transition Date, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), and his 2019 performance shares will be earned and vest based upon actual 2019 performance, as determined by the Compensation Committee in February 2020.

Mr. Fievez will also enter into a non-exclusive Consulting Agreement with the Company (the “Consulting Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Fieve will provide transition support as a consultant to the Company for a two-year period commencing on January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022 (the “Consulting Period”). Under the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Fievez will receive a retainer fee of €10,950 per month (VAT excluded, which will be paid monthly) as well as health insurance related benefits. The Consulting Agreement contains a non-compete provision for the Consulting Period

The foregoing summaries of the Termination Agreement and the Consulting Agreement do not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of each agreement, a copy of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1and 10.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

Appointment of Omar Hoek as Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers

In connection with the announcement of Mr. Fievez’ decision to retire, on October 17, 2019, the Company announced that the Board has named Omar Hoek to succeed Mr. Fievez as Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers, effective January 1, 2020 (the “Start Date”).

Mr. Hoek, 50, has served as Executive Vice President in the Specialties Business Area and Group R&D of Ahlstrom-Munksjö (“Ahlstrom”), a global leader in fiber-based material since 2011. He previously acted as Vice President, Strategy in the Food and Medical Business Area and as Executive Vice President in the Specialties Business Area of Ahlstrom from 2011 until 2017. Before joining the Ahlstrom team, he worked at Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) as a Business Director from 2010 to 2011 and at Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) from 1993 to 2010 in various capacities including Global Marketing and Strategy Director. He holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from the Open University Business School.

In connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers, Mr. Hoek and SWM Luxembourg S.à.R.L. (“SWM Lux”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an employment agreement, dated October [•], 2019 with a commencement date of January 1, 2020 (the “Employment Agreement”) governed by and construed under the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg where Mr. Hoek will be based. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Hoek will receive an annual base salary of €360,000, with a sign-on bonus of €50,000 to be paid within 30 days of the Start Date. Mr. Hoek will be eligible to receive a bonus equal to 60% of his annual base salary, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee and contingent upon successfully achieving certain performance targets. He will be granted 7,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock subject to completion of 30 days of employment with SWM Lux, 50% of which will vest on the two-year anniversary of the Start Date and the other 50% to vest on the four-year anniversary of the Start Date subject to Mr. Hoek’s continued employment with SWM Lux or any of its affiliates through the applicable vesting date. Effective as of the Start Date, Mr. Hoek will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2020 Annual Incentive Program as well as the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). The current LTIP award opportunity is equal to 75% of his base salary at the Start Date. The Company will provide Mr. Hoek with the use of a premium-level automobile during the term of his employment. He will be entitled to benefit from the Company’s insurance program in Luxembourg covering death and disability and to participate in the Company’s Luxembourg pension scheme. Mr. Hoek will receive supplemental medical insurance offered through the Company as well. Termination of the Employment Agreement by either party requires notice and Mr. Hoek will be entitled to any legally required severance/separation benefits which may accrue under Luxembourg law. The Employment Agreement does not have a specified term and contemplates a standard non-solicit provision which runs during Mr. Hoek’s term of employment and for two years following termination.






The foregoing summary of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

Mr. Hoek does not have a family relationship with any of the executive officers or directors of the Company. There are no transactions in which Mr. Hoek had or will have an interest that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Fievez’ retirement, his transition to a consultant role and Mr. Hoek’s appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)    Exhibits

10.1
Mutual Agreement for the Termination of Employment, dated October 17, 2019, between Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and Michel Fievez
10.2
Consulting Agreement, dated October 17, 2019, between Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and Michel Fievez
10.3
Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2019, between Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and Omar Hoek
99.1
Press Release, dated October 18, 2019, of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Ricardo Nunez
 
Ricardo Nunez
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
 

Dated: October 18, 2019






SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Current Report on Form 8-K
Dated October 18, 2019
 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.                    Description

10.1
10.2
10.3
99.1


Dated: October 18, 2019
 





Exhibit 10.1
MUTUAL AGREEMENT FOR THE
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
DATED: OCTOBER 17, 2019
This Mutual Agreement for the Termination of Employment (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the date set forth above (the “Effective Date”) between SWM Luxembourg SARL, having its registered office at 17 rue Edmond Reuter, L-5326 Contern, hereinafter referred to as the “Company”, on the one hand, and Mr. Michel Fievez, 484A, Route De Thionville, L-5886 Alzingen, hereinafter referred to as the “Employee”, on the other hand. The addresses of both the Company and the Employee are located in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Whereas:
A.
The Employee has been employed by the Company as Executive Vice President, Paper and RTL under an indefinite duration employment contract dated 1 October 2015 (the “Employment Agreement”).
B.
The Company and the Employee wish to terminate the Employment Agreement by mutual consent, as contemplated by Art. L-124-13 of the Labor Code (Code du Travail) of Luxembourg.
C.
The Company is part of a group of company’s owned or controlled by Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (the “SWM Group”).
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Employee (the “Parties”) agree as follows.
1.
Termination of Employment
a.
The Employment Agreement and the employment relationship created thereunder shall terminate on 31 December 2019 (the “Termination Date”).
b.
To the extent that the Letter of Agreement with Employee Regarding SWM Transition Incentive Compensation should be deemed to be supplement or any other part to the Employment Agreement or the employment relationship, then the Parties agree that the arrangements contained in such Letter are annulled and shall have no force or effect as of the date of signature of this Agreement.
c.
In the event that the annual indexation of salaries in Luxembourg should take place after the Effective Date of this Agreement but before the Termination Date, then the Employee’s salary shall be adjusted to be equal to the salary in effect immediately prior to such indexation, plus the amount of such indexation, less an “adjustment amount.” The “adjustment amount” shall be the less of (i) amount of the annual indexation and (ii) the amount by which the Employee’s salary was increased effective March 2019.
d.
Employee will resign from any position as an officer or member of the board of directors of any company that is part of the SWM Group and the China-based joint ventured, shares of which are owned by a member of the SWM Group. Employee will agree to provide his signature after the Termination Date on documents related to his tenure as such an officer or director, under reasonable circumstances and conditions.
e.
The Company’s agreements herein are conditioned upon the Employee agreeing to provide consulting services to the Company under a separate, mutually agreeable consulting agreement to be executed simultaneously herewith (the “Consulting Agreement”).
f.
The Employee’s agreements herein are conditioned upon the Employee receiving from Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. a satisfactory letter of assurance in respect of his awards under the Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan and its Annual Incentive Plan.
2.
Until the Termination Date, Employee shall:
a.
do his best efforts and full assistance as may be required by the Company for a smooth and full transfer of all projects, assignments, duties and responsibilities of Employee to the person appointed to replace him; and
b.
continue the good faith performance of his duties in accordance with his past practice;
3.
The Employee undertakes to strictly follow the confidentiality provisions the Employment Agreement and, inter alia, not to reveal any of the facts, information, sources and contents of documents or otherwise of which he has/will have knowledge by reasons of his working for the Company concerning, among others, the Company itself, its affiliates, its employees, shareholders or clients. The Employee undertakes to keep secret any formulas, proceedings or methods that are used or developed by the Company or its affiliates. The Employee declares to comply at all times with the provisions of professional secrecy.





4.
The Employee further undertakes to observe a total discretion on non-public information in relation to his work both concerning the business and the private facts relating to clients, managers or other employees of the Company. Any breach, even minimal, of these obligations may constitute a serious offence, which may trigger a claim that may be exercised on the basis of civil, and/or criminal law. In the same way the Company will observe total discretion about all it knows about the employee and will not express negatively about the Employee or their relationship.
5.
The Employee shall return to the Company no later than on later of the Termination Date (unless the other term is specifically agreed by the parties in writing) all documents, whether confidential or not, all other belongings of the Company or its affiliates of whatever kind and nature that the Employee was granted or may still have in his possession because of his employment with the Company within the duration of the employment (i.e., laptop, SIM cards, credit cards, mobile phones, electronic office pass, etc.) in normal, undamaged and workable condition. In case the Employee fails to return the same the Company shall send him a formal notice by registered letter and in case the Employee will not remedy, the Company shall be entitled to deduct the amounts owed by the Employee in full from the compensations payable hereunder.
6.
Except for its submission to the Luxembourg Income Tax Administration or its enforcement before a court of competent jurisdiction in case one of the contracting parties does not comply with its provisions, this settlement agreement is and shall remain strictly confidential.
7.
The parties acknowledge that they have made reciprocal concessions in the meaning of article 2044 of the Luxembourg civil code. Both parties declare having understood the meaning and the sense of the present agreement and declare that their consent has not been subject to any constraint. Each party will execute the present agreement in good faith.
8.
The Company will pay to the employee any holiday that would have been untaken at the time of termination.
9.
This agreement is governed by Luxembourg law and in case of litigation the courts of Luxembourg will be competent with exclusive jurisdiction.
10.
This agreement (3 pages and 10 points) is made in two originals, each party acknowledges having received one duly signed original.
* * * * *
Executed in two originals in Contern, Luxembourg, on October 17, 2019

For The Company:        For the Employee:



/s/ D. Ronald Surbey      /s/ Michel Fievez     
    







    
Exhibit 10.2
Consulting and Services Agreement
Dated: January 1, 2020
This Consulting and Services Agreement (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between
SWM Luxembourg SARL, a limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) established under the laws of Luxembourg and having its principal offices at 17, rue Edmond Reuter, L-5326, Contern, Luxembourg (the “Company”),
AND
Michel Fievez, 484A, Route De Thionville, L-5886 Alzingen, an individual based in Luxembourg (the “Consultant”),
the “Parties” and individually a “Party.”
Whereas:
A.
Consultant is a former employee of the Company having know-how, knowledge and skills in the field of production, marketing and sales of various types of cigarette paper, botanical-based papers, and reconstituted tobacco, as well as the cigarette industry generally (the "Field"); and
B.
Company is engaged in the business of manufacturing and sale of paper and reconstituted tobacco (the “Industry”), and
C.
Company requires certain consulting services using the type of know-how, knowledge and skills described in Recital A;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows.
1.
CONSULTING SERVICES
a.
Services
(a)
Consultant shall provide Company with consulting and advice, either in person, by telephone or in writing, as needed (the “Services”) and such other work as Company may reasonably request in writing through its representatives for the period and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter provided.
(b)
For each consulting task, Consultant shall deliver advice orally or in writing, as appropriate.
(c)
Payments for Services hereunder to Consultant shall be due and owing whether any Services are requested and, in the event Company requests significant consulting services of Consultant, the Company and Consultant shall agree on additional compensation.

b.
Payment for Services; Expenses
(a)
In consideration of the Services performed by Consultant, Company shall pay Consultant lump-sum gross amount € 10,950 (ten thousand nine hundred fifty euros) per month (excluding travel time to and from principal place of residence, VAT excluded).
(b)
Company will reimburse Consultant for any reasonable travel and related expense incurred in connection with the Services, provided that such expenses are supported with appropriate documentation. Such travel costs shall comply with the Company rules and limits of authorization for professional travels (details shall be sent to the Consultant upon request).
(c)
Company will provide supplemental health insurance while the Agreement remains in effect with SWM either (i) contributing to Consultant’s current supplemental Luxembourg health insurance premiums the same dollar amount that Company contributed to Consultant when he was an employee of the Company or (ii) paying a sum that, after deduction of all taxes and social charges, will correspond





to the gross (all taxes included, notably any additional tax burden for Consultant from an income tax perspective) cost of the supplemental insurance premium.
(d)
Within 30 days after any month, Consultant shall submit an invoice and proof of reasonable expenses if any to Company relevant entity. Payments will be made promptly (and in any event no more than 30 days) after receipt of the invoice.
2.
TERM AND TERMINATION
a.
This Agreement shall commence on the date set forth above (the “Effective Date”) and shall terminate on March 31, 2022 (the “Term”). It can be extended if deemed necessary by an amendment to this contract, executed by the parties.
b.
Notwithstanding the expected term hereof:
(a)
Consultant may terminate this Agreement without penalty:
i.
for convenience by at least ninety (90) days ’ prior written notice and
ii.
for material breach of this Agreement on the part of the Company by at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice. In such case, the Company shall pay to the Consultant within fifteen (15) days damages equal to the total of remaining Payment for services until the Term according to Article 1.2 a) of the present agreement.
(b)
The Company may terminate this Agreement without penalty by giving the Consultant at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice, but only for material breach of this Agreement on the part of the Consultant.
3.
EXCLUSIVITY
So long as this Agreement remains in effect, Consultant shall not provide as an employee, consultant or otherwise, directly or indirectly, under payment or free of charge any services to any person or entity in respect of the production, distribution and/or selling of the products that are similar in functionality to or competing in the market any product of the Company or any company controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, either within Europe or anywhere in the world.
4.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
a.
In consideration of the compensation set forth herein, Consultant and Consultant’s employees, if any, agree to grant, license, release and assign to Company all right, title and interest in all copyrights arising out of the Services provided pursuant to this Agreement. All works of authorship created by Consultant while providing the Services shall be “works made for hire.” Upon request, Consultant shall provide Company with whatever documents, information or materials in Consultant’s possession or reasonably available to Consultant to enable Company to protect its intellectual property rights in any materials produced pursuant to this Agreement.
b.
In consideration of the compensation set forth herein, Consultant and Consultant’s employees, if any, agree to promptly disclose and assign to Company any and all ideas and inventions, patentable or unpatentable, of or relating to anything done in connection with this Agreement or made or conceived which may result from or be suggested by the Services performed. All such ideas and inventions shall be and become the exclusive property of Company, whether or not patent applications are filed thereon, and Consultant shall at any time and from time to time, upon request, at the expense of Company, make application through representatives of Company or its nominees for Patents. Consultant shall promptly provide all reasonable assistance and shall furnish, execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to do any and all acts in securing for Company or Company’s benefit patents in any and all countries. Termination of this Agreement shall not release Consultant from Consultant’s obligations hereunder as to any inventions which, by this Agreement, Consultant has agreed to assign.
5.
CONFIDENTIALITY
a.
For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information means all information: (i) relating to the subject matter of the Services; (ii) concerning Company and its products, operations, research and development, inventions, trade secrets, computer software, plans, intentions, market opportunities, processes, methods, policies, recipes, formulae, vendor and customer relationships, finances and other business operations and affairs; (iii) relating to the existence of this Agreement, its terms and the fact that discussions regarding the Services have been undertaken; and (iv) of third parties that Company maintains in confidence, that has been or may be disclosed to Consultant in written and/or other form, through the Consultant’s access to premises,





equipment or facilities of Company, or by oral, written, electronic or other communication with or on behalf of Company, in connection with, or incidental to, the Services, and all tangible embodiments of such information, including documents, physical items, samples, compounds, or other materials. The Confidential Information includes any analyses, compilations, studies, notes, minutes of meetings, or other documents, physical or electronic materials, prepared by Consultant in the course of carrying out the Services or otherwise based upon or derived from the information disclosed Company.
b.
During the term of this agreement and at all times following its expiration, Consultant undertakes each of the following:
(a)
To keep all of the Confidential Information Company and every part thereof disclosed to them strictly confidential and not to make any disclosure of the same other than as provided herein;
(b)
Not in any circumstances to disclose or communicate the confidential Information disclosed to them to any other person, company or legal entity whatsoever;
(c)
Not to use the Confidential Information disclosed to them for any purpose other than those of the Services without Company’s prior written consent;
(d)
Not to make copies or reproductions of the Confidential Information disclosed to them except to the extend reasonably necessary for the purposes of the Services, it being understood that all such copies shall be proprietary to Company;
(e)
To deliver up on return all materials or documents containing or relating to the Confidential Information Company immediately upon request, which may be given at any time.
c.
The terms and conditions herein shall take effect and be binding on the Parties hereto from the date of disclosure of any Confidential Information and shall remain in force until such time as all the Confidential Information shall have fallen into the public domain. It shall however cease to apply with respect to:
(a)
such Confidential Information or part thereof which shall come into the public domain otherwise than as a result of a breach of this Agreement; or
(b)
such Confidential Information which may lawfully be in the possession of the Consultant prior to receipt from Company; or
(c)
such Confidential Information which is later received on a non-confidential basis from a third party who has not breached any obligation in making such disclosure.
d.
Any termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to the accrued rights of the parties on the date of such termination.
e.
The confidentiality obligation shall remain in force for an indefinite period from the date of signature of this agreement.
f.
Any Party which claims that the other Party has breached the provisions of this article shall bear the burden of bringing to the other Party reasonable proofs supporting such claim.
6.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
Consultant is and shall remain an independent contractor, and not an employee in the performance of this Agreement. Consultant shall not become the agent, representative, employee or servant of Company as a result of the performance of the Services hereunder, or any part thereof, and no express or implied representations to the contrary are made.
7.
WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY
Consultant warrants and guarantees that:
(a)
Consultant is free of any other commitment with any third parties that would restrict the provisions of services to Company, and that the performance of Consultant’s obligations hereunder will not result in the violation of any intellectual property right or know-how belonging to any third party.
(b)
Consultant is not already engaged in a similar project with third parties in the Industry (as defined in the preamble hereto).
(c)
Consultant will employ the best technical practices, procedures, skill, care and judgment in the performance of the Services,
(d)
The Services shall be performed in the most expeditious and economical manner consistent with Company’s best interests, and





(e)
Consultant shall at all times cooperate with Company so as to further the best interests of Company (but in all cases in compliance with applicable law).
8.
NOTICES
All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when delivered in person, transmitted by fax e-mail or mail addressed as follows:
If to Company:
SWM Luxembourg SARL
17, rue Edmond Reuter
L-5326, Contern, Luxembourg
If to Consultant:
Michel Fievez
484A, Route De Thionville
L-5886 Alzingen
or to such other address or individual as either party may specify from time to time in writing.
9.
ASSIGNMENT
Consultant shall not assign, subcontract or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any payments due or to become due hereunder without Company’s prior written approval.
10.
PUBLICITY
Consultant shall not publicize in any manner information regarding the existence of this Agreement or its terms without the written consent of Company, provided however, that Consultant shall not be prohibited from making disclosures to the extent required by law or disclosed by Company.
11.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT: AMENDMENT
This Agreement attached hereto constitute the entire understanding between the parties. No waiver, modification or amendment of any term of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing specifying such waiver, modification, or amendment and signed by the parties hereto.
12.
GOVERNING LAW - JURISDICTION
a.
This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Luxembourg.
b.
The Parties hereby agree that the courts of Luxembourg shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement and that accordingly any proceeding, suit or action arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought before such courts.
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed on behalf of each party as of the day and year first set forth above.
SWM Luxembourg SARL        Michel Fievez

/s/ D. Ronald Surbey          /s/ Michel Fievez     

/s/ John Blasko              October 17, 2019     










Exhibit 10.3


INDEFINITE DURATION EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

BETWEEN:         
 
SWM Luxembourg, a société à responsabilité limitée duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, with registered office at 17 rue Edmond Reuter L-5326 Contern, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, with a share capital of EUR 10,691,750 and registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg under number B 180.186, duly represented by Urszula Jarosz-Kuberska, HR Director-Engineered Papers.

(hereinafter referred to as the “Employer");

AND:        

Omar Hoek, born on the 23rd of February 1969, residing at 14 Rue de l ‘independence L-8021 Strassen Luxembourg.


(hereinafter referred to as the “Employee");

Jointly referred to as the “Parties”,

PRELIMINARY

WHEREAS the Employer wishes to employ the Employee as from January 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), under the terms and conditions set forth in the present employment agreement (the “Contract”) and the Employee agrees to enter into the Contract under the conditions set out below.

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:


Article 1.
Functions of the Employee

The Employee is hired as Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers in order to, as its main responsibility, serve as the Leader for the business unit globally leading the overall Paper manufacturing and RTL manufacturing operations. Additionally, the role is responsible for sales, marketing, account management, general plant operations, research and development, engineering, supply chain, quality, regulatory affairs, and financial planning/results.

His duties will also include all the usual duties of a person acting as Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers, without prejudice to any other tasks that may be assigned to him by the Employer. Further, the Employee will serve without additional compensation on the board of directors or as an executive officer of subsidiaries of SWM (as defined below), including without limitation as a board member of entities incorporated in Luxembourg and China and as president of the entities incorporated in France, and to perform the functions inherent in such positions in accordance with the applicable law.

In the performance of his duties, the Employee will receive instructions from, and will report to, Jeffrey Kramer, Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) of Schweitzer-Mauduit International., Inc. (“SWM”) who in turn reports to the Company Board of Directors, or a direct report to the CEO (including any COO), as determined by the CEO as appointed and/or designated for this purpose by the Employer as the business deems fit. The Employee expressly agrees that a change in the person from whom he receives his instructions and to whom he shall report will not be considered as a substantial amendment to the Contract.

The Employee shall at all times perform his duties in compliance with the applicable laws and any rules, policies and procedures of the Employer.






The Employee is expected to be flexible in the duties carried out during his employment and the Employer reserves the right to vary his duties from time to time as it thinks fit, provided that the Employer shall not materially reduce the Employee’s duties and responsibilities.


Article 2.
Terms of the employment

The Contract will start as of the Effective Date for an indefinite duration. This Effective Date will be the reference date when service length is required to apply the Labour Code provisions.


Article 3.
Place of work

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg shall be the Employee’s principal physical place of work and he shall carry out his duties in the Employer’s offices, currently located in Contern, without prejudice to the right of the Employer to reasonably require the performance of said work elsewhere on an occasional basis.
 
Notwithstanding the place of the above office of the Employer, the place of work may be transferred to an alternative location in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, depending upon the needs of the Employer. In any event, the Employee hereby expressly agrees that the transfer of the registered office of the Employer, or of its place of work, to any other location within the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, shall not be regarded as a substantial amendment to this Contract. Should the Employee locate his primary residence outside the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this contract shall be voided immediately and benefits shall cease to accrue. The Employee shall maintain his primary residence within the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the whole duration of his employment as this is consistent with the Company’s current tax and other growth strategy.

The Employee is required to, and shall, make all trips in the European Union, the United States, China, Brazil, and any other country as necessary for the proper performance of the Contract.


Article 4.
Working hours

The Employee will work full-time and his normal duration of work will be 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day from Monday to Friday.

The normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. in the morning and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

The Employee acknowledges and accepts that such working hours may vary depending on the needs of the Employer.

The Employee further acknowledges and accepts that he qualifies as a senior executive (“cadre supérieur”) pursuant to article L. 211-27 of the Luxembourg Labour Code. Therefore, the Employee is expected to adopt a flexible approach to working hours. In light of his high-level responsibilities implying a significant degree of independence in the organization of his working time and place of work, the working hours may vary according to the needs of the Employer.

The Employee expressly acknowledges that, being a cadre supérieur, he may be required to work overtime, or on Sundays without additional salary, or compensatory time-off.


Article 5.
Remuneration
 
Effective January 1, 2020, the annual gross base remuneration is fixed at an amount equivalent to THREE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND EUROS (360,000€), based on the wage index applicable at the Effective Date, and is paid in twelve monthly instalments, at the end of each month, after deductions of social security contributions and payroll taxes provided for by the law.

As an incentive for the Employee to join SWM, a one-time cash sign-on bonus of FIFTY THOUSAND EUROS (50,000€), shall be paid within the first thirty days of employment.







Article 6.
Annual Bonus

The Employee will be entitled to a variable compensation with a target bonus equal to 60% of his annual base salary, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of SWM (the “Committee”), payable upon reaching set objectives and calculated in accordance with annually established rules. The Employee acknowledges and accepts that the right to the payment of such variable compensation for a given year will accrue to him (provided he achieved successfully the objectives set to him for that year) no later than March 31 of the following year and provided that he is employed as of December 31 of the year to which the variable compensation applies. Participation in the Annual Bonus program shall commence January 1, 2020 and continue annually thereafter.

As a consequence, in case of termination during a given year, for any reason, the Employee is not entitled to any variable compensation for that year.

The Employer may from time-to-time grant a further bonus to the Employee in its sole discretion and based on criteria that may vary from time to time, being expressly agreed that any bonus granted to the Employee and not included in the salary shall be considered as a gift, whatever its frequency and its amount, and shall not constitute a vested right.


Article 7.
Long Term Incentive Plan

The Employee will be eligible for participation in SWM’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan) subject to approval by the Compensation Committee of the Corporate Board of Directors. The current 2015 target Long Term Incentive Plan award opportunity is 75% of the Employee’s January 1 annual base salary. The Employee’s performance standards, award opportunity and measurements will continue to be set by the Committee upon recommendation by the CEO for each measurement period. Initial participation will be effective January 1, 2020 and continue annually thereafter.




Article 8.
Restricted Stock Award

As a retention incentive, the Employee shall receive 7,000 Restricted Shares of SWM stock with ½ vesting at Employee’s second employment anniversary and the remaining ½ vesting at the Employee’s fourth employment anniversary. These shares will be awarded after completion of thirty days of employment with SWM.


Article 9.
Company car

Employer will provide a premium level automobile during the term of the Contract. The Employee will benefit from a maximum annual base lease (excluding VAT) of €1,200. The auto will be fully expensed and the Employee acknowledges this is a taxable benefit pursuant to local tax legislation. This benefit may vary in value according to the actual car provided and effective date of lease.


Article 10.
Lunch vouchers

The Employer will provide to the Employee lunch vouchers of a value of 10.80€ for each day worked in Luxembourg, each provided pursuant to local tax legislation.


Article 11.
Assurance de Groupe

The Employee will be entitled to benefit from an “Assurance de Groupe” to cover death and disability and provide an additional pension scheme. The Employee is automatically enrolled to participate in the supplemental medical plan. He acknowledges and accepts that he will have to contribute in addition to the Employer’s contribution to the plan. Contribution rates may vary depending on the contract evolution. The rights of the Employee to the benefits related





to such plan will be detailed in the terms and conditions of the plan, a copy of which will be provided to the Employee and attached to this Contract as soon as available.

Medical Insurance: A compulsory medical insurance will be offered through the company with a 75% Employer/25% Employee contribution split for the coverage offered.

Life and Disability Insurance: A scheduled disability coverage will be offered with a maximum annual benefit of €75,000. Subject to a medical questionnaire and underwriting approvals, life insurance coverage of up to 300% of annual base salary may be available, dependent upon underwriting.

Pension Scheme: Employer contribution of 4% of first 10,355.50€ gross salary per month (2019 Luxembourg Social Security Ceiling). For gross salary and eligible amounts (AGSA) in excess of 10,355.50€ per month (2019), the Employer contribution will be 8%. The Employer pension contribution amounts will be indexed annually in coordination with the published Luxembourg Social Security Ceiling.





Article 12.
Annual Holidays

The Employee will be entitled to the minimum annual holidays provided for by the Luxembourg Labour Code, being 26 days per year at the effective date of the signed Contract (pro-rated in case of start or termination during the year). In addition, the Employee will be entitled to public holidays in accordance with the provisions of the Luxembourg Labour Code.

The Employee must apply for his holidays with sufficient notice. This annual holiday must be taken in accordance with the Employer’s requirement of service and with the holiday requests of other employees, taking into consideration as much as possible the reasonable wishes of the Employee, and all the other laws governing the matter.

Holidays shall be taken during the course of the calendar year. However, should circumstances related to the needs of the Employer not allow the Employee to take all of his holidays, the remaining holidays at the end of the calendar year may exceptionally be carried forward in accordance with the internal rules of the Employer then in effect.



Article 13.
Termination of the Contract

Any party who wishes to terminate the Contract shall notify the other party of the termination by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, a copy of the notice of termination. The duration of the applicable notice period will be fixed in accordance with articles L.124-1 and seq. of the Luxembourg Labour Code. The Employee shall not lose the right to any legally required severance/separation benefits which may accrue under Luxembourg law.

The above is without prejudice to the ability for either party to terminate the Contract without notice in cases provided for by Luxembourg laws


Article 14.
Exclusivity

The Employee shall not, at any time during the Contract, carry out any other professional activity, whether as employee or independent. Any other professional activity is strictly prohibited and will immediately lead to the termination of this Contract.

The Employee shall not, at any time during the period of the Contract accept any mandate without prior written consent given by the Employer in order not to prejudice the work he has to perform on behalf of the Employer or the interest or the reputation of the latter.


Article 15.
Confidentiality






The Employee undertakes both during the performance of the Contract and at any time after the termination thereof, to observe the strictest confidentiality as to all confidential information or data collected during the employment relationship.
  
Any disclosure, which is not necessary for the performance of the Employee’s duties under this Agreement, to persons or entities, other than to employees of the Employer and its affiliates or third parties subject to confidentiality obligations at least as stringent as those contained in this Contract, of confidential information or data has to be specifically authorized by written and formal consent of the CEO.

During the Contract and any time after the termination thereof, the Employee shall refrain from:
using confidential information or data governed by this article for his own profit, outside the scope of the Contract; and
performing or taking part in any act of unfair competition.

Any infringement, even minor, to the provisions of this article shall be considered as gross misconduct justifying the immediate termination of the Contract without notice or severance payment, without prejudice to any other claim or proceeding which may be undertaken by the Employer.


Article 16.
Non solicitation of clients and employees

Recognizing that, among other things, the identity and business terms of clients, as well as the identities and employment performance of employees, constitute business secrets of Employer, the Employee hereby undertakes that during his employment and for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the termination, for any reason whatsoever, of the Contract, he will not, on his own account or on behalf of any other individual or legal person, whether directly or indirectly:

solicit (e.g., to have contact with, or to lend assistance in any way to), interfere with, or endeavour to entice away from the Employer, or from any other company belonging to the same group, any individual or legal person who at the date of termination of the Contract, or who in the twelve months immediately prior to the termination of the Contract, was a prospect or a client of the Employer, or of any other company belonging to the same group, with whom during that twelve-month period the Employee had business dealings or who during that twelve-month period was negotiating with the Employee in relation to all or part of the Employer’s, or of any other company belonging to the same group’s, business;
have any business dealings with any individual or legal person who at the date of termination of the Contract, or who in the twelve months immediately prior to the termination of the Contract, was a prospect or a client of the Employer, or of any other company belonging to the same group, with whom during that twelve-month period the Employee had business dealings or who during that twelve-month period was negotiating with the Employee in relation to all or part of the Employer’s, or of any other company belonging to the same group’s, business;
solicit, interfere with or endeavor to entice away from the Employer, or from any other company belonging to the same group, any employee or any independent consultant engaged by the Employer, or by any other company belonging to the same group.

The Employee hereby further undertakes that prior to the termination of the Contract, he shall not discuss his departure with any affiliated Employer, client or prospect of the Employer, or of any other company belonging to the same group, and/or with the Employer’s, or any other company belonging to the same group’s, personnel, without the prior written consent of the Employer.




Article 17.
Ownership

All proprietary documents, including electronic documents, and equipment used by the Employee or put at his disposal during the employment relationship shall remain the exclusive property of the Employer and must be returned to the latter immediately upon request, and in all events, upon termination of the Contract, in a condition appropriate to its





normal use. No copies of any proprietary documents shall be kept by the Employee. All inventions created by the Employee in the scope of the Employer’s business activity and during his employment shall be owned by the Employer.


Article 18.
Intellectual property rights

19.1 Definitions

For the purposes of this article, “Intangible Properties” means:
any creation protected, or which may be protected, by an intellectual property right;
any trade and corporate secret as defined in article 309 of the Criminal Code;
any other intangible properties, such as, but not limited to, data, information and secrets, used, or which can be used, within the framework of the undertaking of the Employer or of its activities, and that come to the knowledge of the Employee in the framework of the performance of his duties, or in connection with the performance of his duties, during his employment relationship with the Employer;
any work or creation with a commercial, artistic, functional, technical, organizational or aesthetic purpose.

This provision applies to any Intangible Properties that the Employee may create and/or hold in the framework of the performance of his duties or in connection with the performance of his duties during his employment relationship with the Employer (irrespective of his status (independent, volunteer, shareholder or director)).

For the purposes of this article, “Creations” means any Intangible Properties conceived, developed or realized, entirely or partially (that includes creations completed by the Employee on the basis of prior preparatory work and preparatory work realized prior to the termination of the employment relationship), by the Employee and which are connected to the work performed by his for the Employer.

The Creations include any creation realized by the Employee, either:
during the performance of a task regarding the creation of an Intangible Property and which is within the actual duties of the Employee;
during the performance of studies, research, or works explicitly given to him;
during the performance of his duties or of his training;
in the area of the activities of the undertaking of the Employer; or
by the knowledge or the use of techniques or means specifically linked to the undertaking of the Employer or to data procured by it.

It is specified that the fact that the Creation was made outside of regular working hours or in the absence of specific instructions from the Employer is not in itself sufficient to exclude the Creation from the definition mentioned above (in particular where Company material and equipment was used to create the Creation).

19.2 Owner of the rights

The Employer and the Employee expressly agree that the benefit of the Creations accrue to the Employer in its entirety.

As a consequence, in all cases where the law grants intellectual property rights over the Creations, the Employer will become the owner of such rights and can therefore proceed to any and all formalities relating to their filing and/or registration (it being noted that such formalities are not mandatory toward the Employer).

The Employer is entitled to use the Creations as it sees fit, and includes its right to:
exploit them itself;
assign and transfer them;
license them to a third-party for exploitation;
destroy them;
waive their exploitation without such waiver having as a consequence a waiver of its rights and without the fact that the Employee can challenge such decision; or
modify them in any way it sees fit or incorporate them in to any other Intangible Properties.

The Employee waives his rights to:
claim any right attached to his capacity as creator of the Creations; or





oppose the use of his name as author of the said Creation, even after the termination of his employment relationship with the Employer.

The Employee, as well as his heirs or assignees, shall be bound by these waivers.

The Employee shall inform the Employer, without delay, of any Creations realized by him (even patentable inventions and even if the Employee considers such Creations as a free creation which should be rightfully his).


19.3 Transfer of the rights

The Employee assigns and transfers to the Employer any and all intellectual property rights he owns over his Creations to the complete or partial exclusion of the rights that cannot be assigned or transferred pursuant to a provision of Luxembourg law. Should the assignment or transfer be legally restricted or prohibited at the time of the creation, the rights will be deemed assigned and/or transferred to the Employer at the date this legal limitation or prohibition stops applying.

By this global and unlimited assignment and transfer, the Employer is granted with the broadest rights to use and exploit the assigned and transferred intellectual property rights.

For the rights not requiring any filing or registration, the assignment and transfer is deemed as taking place as and when the work is in progress.

The assignment and transfer applies to, but is not limited to, all the following intellectual property rights: copyrights (including copyrights on program and software) and related rights (including the right of reproduction, distribution, communication to the public, renting and lending), sui generis rights of the author or designer of databases, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, and patents (including rights derived from supplementary protection certificates), for the entirety of the duration of their legal protection (being understood that any extension of such legal duration will benefit to the Employer) and for all current and future methods and forms of exploitation of the intellectual property rights and without any jurisdictional limitations.

The assignment and transfer apply to any and all economic and, to the maximum extent possible under Luxembourg law, moral rights existing at the date of signature of the present Contract or acquired after its signature.

The Employee undertakes to the best of his endeavors to facilitate the assignment and transfer formalities of the aforementioned rights to the Employer.

The Employee agrees that any financial compensation related to the assignment of the intellectual property rights under this Contract is fully included in the remuneration paid to the Employee in accordance with this Contract and that no further compensation will be due in this regard.





Article 19.
Access to information and data of the Employer

The Employee agrees to only access the information and Intangible Properties necessary for the proper performance of his duties during his employment relationship with the Employer. The Employee undertakes in particular not to bypass any form of protection or procedure put in place by the Employer.


Article 20.
Personal Data


The Employer undertakes to handle the personal data with respect to the Employee in accordance with the European regulation 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.







The personal data related to the Employee and communicated to the Employer, as data controller, for the sake of the Contract (hereafter the “Data”) may include the Employee’s contact and identification Data, photo, financial and banking information and HR-related Data such as professional experience relating to the Employee.


The Employee’s Data will be processed where necessary:

For the performance by the Employer of the contractual obligations towards the Employee, including for the performance of this Contract;

For compliance by the Employer with its legal obligations including compliance with obligations in relation to the Employee administration, obligations to ensure fair treatment and the protection of the Employee’s rights and any other obligations under labour laws and regulations;

For the purpose of the legitimate interests pursued by the Employer or by a third party, for instance, human resources management, activity and business planning, accounting, audit, and administrative purposes, to manage litigation and to prepare or implement any business reorganisation including in the form of sale of business, transfer, disposal, merger or acquisition;

In order to allow the monitoring of information and communications systems to the extent and for the purposes permitted under applicable law.


The Employer undertakes not to use the Data for purposes other than those for which it has been collected and such Data shall not be stored for a period longer than necessary for the realization of such purposes.


To achieve the purposes described above, the Employer may make such information available as may be required or authorized by law, to third parties such as third parties providing products or services to the Employer (e.g. advisers, IT system suppliers, payroll administrators, pension scheme administrators, financial intermediaries, auditors, tax and accounting service providers, Employer secretarial service providers), regulatory, public or judicial authorities and affiliated or related companies of the Employer.


Certain countries in which third parties may be located are outside the EEA and are not deemed by the European Commission as offering the same level of protection of Data as the one of the European Union (“Third Countries”).

Data transfers to recipients that are located in Third Countries may, depending on the nature of the transfer:

be authorized under applicable data protection laws, as the case may be, as such transfer is necessary for the performance or execution of a contract concluded in the interest of the Employee or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims or for the performance of the Contract between the Employee and the Employer; or,

be otherwise covered by appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission, in which case the concerned Employee may obtain a copy of such safeguards upon request.


In relation to the Data processed as described above, the Employee has a right to:

access, free of charge at reasonable intervals, his Data and information relating to its processing;

rectify without undue delay any inaccurate or incomplete Data;

seek the erasure of his Data without undue delay when the use or other processing of his/her Data is no longer necessary for the purposes described above where the processing is not or no longer lawful for any





reasons, when the erasure is necessary to comply with applicable law or when Employee objects to the processing in the absence of any overriding legitimate ground for carrying out such processing;

object, on grounds relating to his particular situation, to any processing based on the Employer’s legitimate interests;

receive the Data concerning him and transmit them to another data controller to the extent that the legitimacy of the processing lies on contractual performance and the processing is carried out by automated means; and

seek the restriction of the processing notably when the accuracy of the Data is contested or when the processing is not or no longer compliant with applicable law and he has objected to the erasure of the Data.

No automated decisions will be made in relation to the Data processed.


In addition, the Employee has a right to file a complaint with the Luxembourg data protection authority (the Commission Nationale pour la Protection des Données) or with his local data protection authority if he does not reside in Luxembourg, in case the Employee has concerns about the processing of his Data.


The Employee has the right to refuse to provide the Employer with his Data, but the Employee is aware that not providing the Employers with some of the above Data (e.g. Data requested at the time of the Employee’s recruitment) would unfortunately prevent the Employer from entering into the Contract or maintaining any ongoing agreement with the Employee. Indeed, the Employee has, if he is in a contractual relationship with the Employer, the obligation to provide the Employer with certain Data.


For any question regarding his Data or for exercising his rights mentioned above, the Employee is invited to contact his HR manager or the Employer at the following email address:msifo@swmintl.com.

The Employee acknowledges that he has read and understands the Company’s Human Resources Privacy Policy in force and as amended from time to time (the “Privacy Policy”), which provides necessary and mandatory information on the way the Company collects, stores and generally processes personal data of the Employee, including information on the rights of the Employee in relation to the processing of his/her personal data by the Company. The Privacy Policy supersedes this Article 20 in case of conflict or discrepancy.



Article 21.
Medical examination of capacity for work

The Employee shall be bound to submit himself to a medical examination provided for by articles L-326-1 and seq. of the Luxembourg Labour Code. Should the Employee be declared unfit for work as provided for in the Contract, the Contract shall be terminated ipso jure.

Article 22.
Internal regulation

The Employee shall comply with any internal regulation and/or policies that may be implemented by the Company, as the case may be, and shall be duly notified to him.


Article 23.
Severability

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Contract shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Contract, which shall remain in full force and effect.






Article 24.
Applicable law and Jurisdiction

This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Matters not expressly provided for in this Contract, shall be governed by applicable Luxembourg laws and regulations and notably by the Labour Code, as amended from time to time. To the extent permitted by Luxembourg law, the courts of Luxembourg shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising under this Contract.

Executed in Luxembourg on October 18, 2019 in two originals, each of the Parties declaring having received one original.



/s/ Omar Hoek                          /s/ D. Ronald Surbey     
Omar Hoek                            The Employer
The Employee                            SWM Luxembourg
By: D. Ronald Surbey
Director



Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SWM Adds Seasoned Paper Industry Executive to Leadership Team
Omar Hoek to Lead Engineered Papers Division

ALPHARETTA, GA, October 18, 2019 - SWM International (NYSE: SWM), announced today that it has named Omar Hoek as Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers, effective January 2020. Hoek will join SWM from Finnish fibers manufacturer Ahlstrom-Munksjo, where he leads their Specialties division and is part of their senior executive leadership team. Hoek has also held leadership positions with Avery Dennison and Newell Rubbermaid.

Michel Fievez, current Executive Vice President, Engineered Papers, has announced his retirement for the end of 2019. Fievez joined SWM in 2007 and has served in several senior leadership roles during his tenure with the company. Dr. Jeffrey Kramer, SWM CEO, said, “Michel has made tremendously important contributions to SWM’s ongoing success in our paper business, and his positive impact will have a lasting effect on our organization and our business. He has certainly earned a rewarding retirement and we wish him well in the next stage of his journey.”

“At the same time, we are very excited to add Omar’s extensive experience across multiple leadership positions and companies in the paper industry. As our business looks to continued growth and innovation, Omar’s vision and ability to drive strategic implementation will spur our success.”


About SWM:
SWM is a leading global performance materials company. Our highly engineered papers, films, nets and nonwovens are designed and manufactured using natural fibers and polymers for a variety of industries and applications. We provide our customers with essential components that enhance the performance of their products. End markets served include filtration, transportation, infrastructure and construction, medical, industrial, tobacco, energy, food services and home décor. SWM and its subsidiaries manufacture on four continents, conduct business in over 90 countries and employ approximately 3,400 people worldwide. For further information, please visit SWM’s web site at www.swmintl.com.


Media Contact:

Mary T. Gibson
770-569-4328
mgibson@swmintl.com