Latest news with #Gougeon
Business Wire
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Iron Path Capital Announces Partnership with Gougeon Brothers, Inc. as First Investment in Advanced Materials Platform
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Iron Path Capital, a private equity firm focused on healthcare and specialty industrials, today announced a growth partnership with Gougeon Brothers, Inc., a leading epoxy manufacturer in the composites and marine end markets. 'Gougeon has a long and storied history as a pioneer and innovator in advanced composite epoxy resin systems for both repair and use in original equipment composite parts manufacturing." Share 'We are delighted to partner with the Gougeon management team to develop and grow their market-leading WEST SYSTEM®, PRO-SET®, and Entropy Resins® epoxy resin systems for making and repairing composite structures,' said Ted Clark, Partner at Iron Path Capital. 'Gougeon has a long and storied history as a pioneer and innovator in advanced composite epoxy resin systems for both repair and use in original equipment composite parts manufacturing. We will continue to build the business through organic and inorganic opportunities in the fast-growing composite materials market.' Family-owned since 1969, Gougeon formulates and manufactures epoxy systems for various applications in the marine, recreational, automotive, aerospace, and industrial composites markets. Gougeon is committed to customer service and technical support in ensuring customers' effective use of its products in repair and original equipment composite structures. Its in-house chemists develop tailored solutions for each application, ensuring quality and performance through their superior strength and excellent handling characteristics. The Company's history is rooted in boat building with the Gougeon brothers pioneering the use of epoxy resin systems in boat construction. In addition to formulating and manufacturing their products, Gougeon is a long-time thought leader in the space and is known for its instructional magazine and online forum (Epoxyworks®), book (The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction), and seminars and training sessions including the popular "Glue U" seminar for boat repair. 'The Gougeon Family and the employees of Gougeon Brothers Inc. are thrilled to partner with the team at Iron Path Capital,' said Gougeon CEO Alan Gurski*. 'We chose Iron Path as they share our entrepreneurial spirit, and our commitment to each other, our community, our customers, and to manufacturing the finest products for our markets. We look forward to being a part of the next evolution of GBI.' Ted Clark will serve as Executive Chairman of Gougeon as part of the new advanced materials platform. Clark is an experienced operator in formulated coatings, adhesives and sealants as well as in composites. He previously led Royal Adhesives & Sealants as President and CEO from 2003-2017, which was acquired by H.B. Fuller. Post-acquisition, Clark served as Senior Vice President, Royal Adhesives, then as Executive Vice President and COO of H.B. Fuller before joining Iron Path Capital as a Partner in 2022. Earlier in his career, Mr. Clark also served as President and CEO of PRC-DeSoto International, a producer of coatings and sealants for aircraft. This marks the fifth platform in Iron Path's main strategy. Deriving from the Italian term 'via ferrata,' a fortified route along a challenging Alps climb, Iron Path provides a differentiated private equity experience for founders and management teams, focusing on what drives the greatest impact while building on the company's culture and values to scale swiftly and deliberately, one secure step at a time. From day one, Iron Path Capital works hand-in-hand with management teams to add value through its unique blend of Wall Street capability and Main Street authenticity. Learn more at Gougeon Brothers, Inc. and Iron Path Capital. About Gougeon Holding Company Founded in 1969, Gougeon is a leading formulator, manufacturer and marketer of high-quality two-part epoxy systems and ancillary products. The Company's products include a wide range of epoxy resins, hardeners, fillers, and supplies for the composites, marine, automotive, aerospace, sporting goods, arts and crafts, and other end markets around the world. The Company manufactures WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy, PRO-SET® Epoxy, and Entropy Resins®, distributes PRO-VAC Vacuum Bag Consumables and publishes Epoxyworks® magazine. Gougeon is ISO 9001:2015 registered with primary operations in Bay City, MI. Learn more at About Iron Path Capital Iron Path Capital is an operationally focused private equity firm making lower-middle-market investments across the healthcare and specialty industrial sectors. With offices in Nashville, TN and Charlottesville, VA, Iron Path Capital supports its partners with capital, operating expertise, business development, and industry relationships to achieve significant scale. Iron Path Capital focuses on growing companies with stable cash flows, superior management teams, defensible, scalable business models and multiple vectors for growth, both organic and through consolidation. Learn more at *Mr. Gurski is not a current client of Iron Path Capital, L.P., or an investor in any of its funds and was not provided with compensation for this statement. We are not aware of any material conflicts of interest with him providing this statement resulting from his and Iron Path's relationship.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
No National Park for Ayrshire as Scottish Government drop plans
Plans for the Galloway National Park which would have included parts of South and East Ayrshire have been dropped by the Scottish Government. Plans for a third national park in Scotland which would take in parts of Ayrshire have been dropped by the Scottish Government. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon today, Thursday, May 29, confirmed to the Scottish Parliament that the plans for the Galloway National Park would not progress. Opposition to the nomination alongside the Reporter's recommendations against it mean the region will not get national park status. The decision has been condemned by a number of groups including Action to Protect Rural Scotland, the Scottish Campaign for National Parks and Ramblers Scotland. A consultation by NatureScot found that 54 per cent of people opposed a national park and 42 per cent were in favour, with the majority of those responding from Galloway and Ayrshire. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Gougeon said: 'While there is substantial support for a National Park and what it could deliver for the southwest of Scotland, there is also significant opposition. I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. 'I also recognise the huge amount of work and time that has been invested by a great many people throughout this process. I would like to thank everyone involved, including members of the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. 'I would also like to thank NatureScot for its work carrying out such an important and extensive public consultation in a robust and professional way that was commended in the review of the process carried out by the Scottish Community Development Centre. The consultation raised some really important issues that local people care deeply about and we now have the opportunity to look at how we can address these. 'The Scottish Government remains committed to our existing National Parks and the vital leadership role that they play in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities. Our National Parks are achieving for people and nature.' Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, said: 'The news that Galloway is no longer under consideration to be Scotland's next National Park should send a chill down the spine of everyone campaigning to make the world a better place. 'That a policy so popular with the public, and a designation with so much promise for the region, has been dropped, seemingly in response to a well funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation, is a tragedy. 'But this is not just a tragedy for the people of Galloway and southern Ayrshire, who were set to benefit most from the National Park, this decision impoverishes all of us. 'National Parks are a recognition of the best of our Nation's landscapes and this decision will impact Scotland's standing as a country that values and protects its nature. 'This decision is a betrayal of the Galloway people who have worked tirelessly for seven years to bring well deserved, national recognition for the special landscapes of their area. 'If the Scottish Government can't muster the energy to get a policy as popular, with as many co-benefits, and with such cross-party support, as a National Park over the line, how will we make the far more challenging changes we will need to stave off the nature and climate emergencies?' John Thomson, chair of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said: 'It is deeply sad that misunderstandings about the role and impact of National Parks, together with intensive and often misleading lobbying, should have deprived Scotland's people of the third National Park that they were promised little more than three years ago. 'The country's two existing National Parks are already at the forefront in tackling the ever more pressing climate and biodiversity emergency, and in leading the way to the greener, healthier and happier wellbeing economy that the Scottish Government said it was pursuing. 'A new National Park for Scotland was supported by all political parties. The Ministers' decision represents a major failure to capitalise on Scotland's peerless combination of natural and cultural assets. 'For Galloway it is a huge missed opportunity to secure not only profile and resources but a stronger say over its future. 'All those with the region's interests truly at heart will now have to redouble their efforts to protect its precious landscapes and habitats from the many threats that they face". Ramblers Scotland director, Brendan Paddy, said: 'Scotland has waited for two decades for its third national park, so we are disappointed to see this major opportunity missed. 'A new Galloway National Park, if delivered well, had the potential to attract funding, promote responsible outdoor recreation and support people from all backgrounds to walk in this beautiful corner of Scotland. 'We hope that the next Parliament will work to rebuild confidence that national parks are a key part of how Scotland's finest environments can be managed for the mutual benefit of residents, visitors and nature.'
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government scraps Galloway and Ayrshire national park plan
As part of the Bute House agreement which saw the SNP and the Scottish Greens form a government, it was agreed that "at least one" new national park would be created to join the Caringorms and Loch Lomond and Trossachs. After applications were invited the shortlist was narrowed down to Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest. Read More: The preferred option, which also took in areas of East and South Ayrshire, was proposed by the Scottish Government in July last year and further investigation and consultation ordered. NatureScot was appointed to carry out the process, holding a 14 week consultation from 7 November 2024 until 14 February 2025. Over five thousand surveys were completed and more than one thousand people attended events that were held across Galloway and South and East Ayrshire, with the respective councils also involved in the process. Ultimately 54% of respondents were in opposition to the national park with 52% in favour, with the balance 57% to 40% when including only local responses. As a result, Ms Gougeon announced that the government would not proceed with the proposal. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament she said: "Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and consultation, the reporter has advised that, whilst it considers that the proposed area meets the conditions for a national park set out in the legislation, the proposal does not have sufficient clarity, nor has it garnered sufficient local support to proceed to the next stage of designation. "We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new National Park in the area, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation of a National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire. "I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. "Whilst we have decided not to proceed with the designation of a new National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire in light of the consultation findings and the Reporter's conclusions, I want to stress that this Government remains committed to National Parks in Scotland and their vital leadership role in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities." The decision was welcomed in the chamber by Finlay Carson, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries. He said he had supported the idea in principle but "my support changed when the Bute House agreement saw Lorna Slater impose a top-down structure which seemed more like a Green-Nationalist park". Responding to the statement in the chamber, Colin Smyth, the Labour MSP for South Scotland, said: "For too long Galloway has been Scotland's forgotten corner. Strong words from @colinsmythmsp on Galloway and National Park being dropped👇@heraldscotland. — Rebecca McCurdy (@_RebeccaMcCurdy) May 29, 2025 "Today the government has made it clear it wants to tear down the 'welcome to Dumfries and Galloway' signs and put up 'no entry' instead. "Why is is that every idea this incompetent, useless, government touches falls apart?" Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said: "This decision to scrap the promised National Park for Galloway is the culmination of lack of confident political leadership and the dangerous influence of powerful vested interests. 'Scotland's two current National Parks have shown just how valuable the status can be. Communities have benefited from better management of tourism and forestry, and new investment in transport and housing. 'By scrapping plans for the third National Park in Galloway, the Scottish Government has slammed the door on the economic investment and new powers this designation could bring. This is devastating news for the local community and nature. 'Scottish communities were competing against each other last year to secure a new National Park. But now, thanks to a campaign led by vested interests and misinformation, the Scottish Government is denying all of Scotland the opportunity to benefit from a new National Park. 'Many of the Park's biggest opponents here in Holyrood once were vocal supporters of a new National Park in Scotland. The Tories backed the designation of a new National Park in both the 2016 and 2021 manifestos, even demanding the next park be in Galloway. But once again, they have sided with wealthy landowners who oppose change and lobby for their comfy status quo. 'Ultimately, it is the people of Galloway who will pay the price for this decision to scrap the National Park, and I'm sure this wasted opportunity will not be quickly forgotten by communities.' Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland said: 'The news that Galloway is no longer under consideration to be Scotland's next National Park should send a chill down the spine of everyone campaigning to make the world a better place. That a policy so popular with the public, and a designation with so much promise for the region, has been dropped, seemingly in response to a well-funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation, is a tragedy." Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'By scrapping plans for a Galloway National Park, the Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland. "This decision undermines efforts to restore nature, protect wildlife and support resilient rural communities. Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, Scotland needs leadership and vision – not another retreat from meaningful action. " Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: 'Scotland has waited for two decades for its third national park, so we are disappointed to see this major opportunity missed. 'A new Galloway National Park, if delivered well, had the potential to attract funding, promote responsible outdoor recreation and support people from all backgrounds to walk in this beautiful corner of Scotland. 'We hope that the next Parliament will work to rebuild confidence that national parks are a key part of how Scotland's finest environments can be managed for the mutual benefit of residents, visitors and nature.'
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government scraps plans for Galloway national park
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon confirmed that opposition to the nomination and the reporter's recommendations against it meant that the region in southwest Scotland would not join the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs as the country's third national park. It comes after what has been described as 'intense lobbying' from opponents, with the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) having recorded 29 meetings with ministers and MSPs between January last year and February this year. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Gougeon said: 'While there is substantial support for a National Park and what it could deliver for the southwest of Scotland, there is also significant opposition. I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. 'I also recognise the huge amount of work and time that has been invested by a great many people throughout this process. I would like to thank everyone involved, including members of the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere." READ MORE: National park supporters urge ministers not to scrap Galloway proposal She added: 'The Scottish Government remains committed to our existing National Parks and the vital leadership role that they play in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities. Our National Parks are achieving for people and nature.' Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'By scrapping plans for a Galloway National Park, the Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland. This decision undermines efforts to restore nature, protect wildlife and support resilient rural communities. Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, Scotland needs leadership and vision – not another retreat from meaningful action. 'The Scottish Government must now use the Natural Environment Bill to begin a new phase for Scotland's national parks – ensuring that everyone can benefit from wilder national parks that can be the jewels in the crown of Scotland's nature recovery and its journey towards becoming a Rewilding Nation.' RSPB Scotland also reacted to the decsion, stating: "Today's announcement that a new national park for Galloway will not be going ahead is very disappointing news. "It has been over twenty years since our two existing national parks, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms, were designated. Since then, these places have evolved into important landscapes both for nature and for people. "A number of RSPB Scotland's reserves sit within national parks, and we believe that a third national park in Scotland – whether in Galloway or elsewhere – should be a welcome proposal that would deliver positive outcomes for nature. "Following today's decision, RSPB Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to swiftly come forward with alternative additional measures that clearly demonstrate its commitment to restoring nature and tackling the nature and climate emergency."
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scottish Government ditches plans to create Galloway National Park
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon says there is too much opposition to the proposals to move forward. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government has officially ditched its proposals to create Galloway National Park. This is the latest commitment made in the Bute House Agreement, the power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens, that has been ditched by the Scottish Government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However the government has conceded there is too much opposition to the proposals to push on with the proposals to create a brand new national park. No to Galloway National Park campaigners holding a demonstration outside a special meeting on park proposals held by Dumfries and Galloway Council | No to Galloway National Park In a statement in Holyrood, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new national park in the area, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation of a national park in Galloway and Ayrshire. 'I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new national park in Galloway over many years.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said 54 per cent of people who responded to their consultation on the proposals opposed the idea of a new national park, and said when only local responses were included, this increased to 57 per cent. Ms Gougeon said: 'It notes that support was greatest among environment, recreation and tourism sectors, whilst landowners, land managers and those working in the farming, forestry and renewable energy sectors had the strongest reservations.
