H.B. Fuller Names Jim Conaty as Group President, Global Adhesives

    ST. PAUL, Minn.--July 17, 2003--H.B. Fuller Company announced that Jim Conaty has been appointed group president, Global Adhesives, replacing Peter Koxholt, who has chosen to retire due to illness. In this role, Conaty will assume responsibility for the global adhesives businesses, as well as retain overall responsibility for the automotive business.
    "We will miss Peter's energy, presence and viewpoints. He has been a significant driver in our company's transformation during the past several years and has played a critical role in the evolution of our adhesives business. We wish him the best and our thoughts will be with him," said Al Stroucken, H.B. Fuller chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Jim's experience, drive and commercial skills in the highly competitive automotive business will help ensure that the strides we have made over the past couple of years will be leveraged into profitable growth for our adhesives business."
    Conaty joined H.B. Fuller in 1985 as business manager for what was then TEC Specialty Products, following a successful career in marketing via positions at General Electric and B.F. Goodrich. In the ensuing years, he has held a variety of marketing, business unit and operational management positions culminating in his most recent assignment as president and CEO of EFTEC Americas, begun with the formation of the company's global joint venture with EMS Chemie in 1997. Conaty will continue to serve as a member of the company's Leadership Council and Executive Committee, as well as serve on EFTEC's management committee and board of directors.
    Conaty is a graduate of Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and business administration.

    H.B. Fuller Company is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of adhesives, sealants, coatings, paints and other specialty chemical products, with fiscal 2002 sales of $1.256 billion. Common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FUL. For more information about the company, visit the Web site at: http://www.hbfuller.com.