3M was the highest-ranked company related to window film on the list, making the list at 193. Saint-Gobain, manufacturer of Solar Gard, followed closely behind at 260. Eastman Chemical Co., maker of LLumar Window Film, was ranked 982 while PPF manufacturer Avery Dennison held strong at 1,698.

According to Scott DeCarlo, Forbes staff, the Global 2000 contains “the biggest, most powerful listed companies in the world … Our ranking of the world’s biggest companies departs from lopsided lists based on a single metric, like sales. Instead we use an equal weighting of sales, profits, assets and market value to rank companies according to size.”

Chinese banking companies dominated the top of the list, though other major names, such as Exxon Mobil and General Electric helped round out the top five.

“What caused me to move over is the fact that Madico’s approach to the market and strategy is much more in line with my DNA … it’s what I’ve done for most of my career,” Black told Window Film magazine. “I spent 18 years doing it for Bekaert, or Solar Gard, so it’s a much better fit for me managing sales and distribution and leveraging a large group of people to get things done.”

Black will directly manage Madico’s company-owned U.S. branches in addition to overseeing the U.S. sales force and Sunscape program.

“I will be managing seven distribution locations, several sales people, the architectural program Sunscape and I’ll be managing people that sell and distribute a full range of products such as automotive, architectural and safety films,” said Black. “Madico wants to go through business by helping [its] dealer base grow. Hanita’s focus was much more energy-related … Madico has a much broader approach.”

Jeffrey Plummer, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Madico, said the addition of Black is in line with the company’s development plans for 2013.

“Growth in the North American marketplace is of the upmost importance to our growth strategy. Jim’s experience, understanding of the window film market landscape and his leadership position in the industry combined to make him the right person to lead the next phase of growth for Madico in 2013 and beyond,” said Jeffrey Plummer, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Madico. “Adding a sales management professional of his caliber and expertise to our roster is further proof that we are committed to our mission as an internationally respected leader in the production and distribution of ‘best-in-class’ window film products and solutions.”

“I believe that I have joined a very successful window film company,” added Black. “Many of the team members have a lot of experience. Madico really concentrates on maintaining [its] employees for a long period of time as well as bringing on people who can help the dealers be successful at what they do.”

Black brings 24 years of experience to the position, having began his career in 1988 as a window film shop owner before serving as regional manager for the Americas for Bekaert Specialty Films before it was sold to Saint-Gobain. Black then moved on to HanitaTek, where he served as president and general manager for three years. He has also served on the AIMCAL window film committee and is currently vice president of the International Window Film Association. Black has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing.

HanitaTek recently appointed Pam Preston as general manager of its window films distribution operations, effective April 1. A representative for the company had not responded to request for comment at press time.

Stéphane Nicoli has been appointed as the new general manager of Saint-Gobain’s specialty films division.

Nicoli succeeds Christophe Fremont, who is stepping down as leader of Solar Gard after 10 years to pursue other responsibilities within Saint-Gobain.

“Christophe has successfully grown Solar Gard over the last decade to become a major global player in the industry and has been instrumental in helping window film become recognized as a valid component of the building envelope and a legitimate construction product,” says Loïc Mahé, vice president of Saint-Gobain’s composites business.

Nicoli brings with him experience in operations and general management across multiple sectors of Saint-Gobain, including work with Glassolutions, focused on the next generation of glass and glazing innovation.

“I am very much looking forward to taking Solar Gard and window film to the next level of growth” says Nicoli. “Christophe built a tremendous platform and I am confident that with the dedicated team at Solar Gard and the synergies within Saint-Gobain, particularly Glassolutions, that we can reach new heights.”

The LEED Green Associate certification is a Green Building Certification Institute credential for professionals who have demonstrated a knowledge and understanding of green building practices needed to support the use of leadership in energy and environmental design, construction and operation of buildings and neighborhoods.

“This is fantastic news for Gene, Anthony and Solar Gard as a whole as we continue striving to develop innovative solutions for the home and building markets,” says Kathryn Giblin, director of global marketing and technical services. “Having two LEED Green Associates is testament to the strength of our technical services team and our ongoing commitment to environmental leadership. This knowledge will help dealers make more informed, sustainable choices when it comes to our window film products.”

To achieve certification, Kogan and Dominguez had to demonstrate a broad understanding of sustainability in areas including site sustainability, water management, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources management, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regional priority.

LEED certification requires ongoing education to maintain the credential.

“This transaction represents what we’ve been saying for years—that the future for specialized films is bright and that Solar Gard is best positioned to lead the market,” says Christophe Fremont, general manager of Solar Gard. “This partnership legitimizes the window film solution and opens the doors to the enormous glass market and sustainable habitat industry. This is an incredible opportunity for the industry overall, and we consider this historical strategic acquisition by Saint-Gobain as the most influential partnership that the industry has ever seen.”

Solar Gard’s three global production facilities and operations under development, sales and service centers worldwide and all employees currently working for the company were included in the transaction.

“The acquisition of Solar Gard is an important catalyst in the continued advancement of specialty films,” says Loic Mahe, vice president of composites at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.

Others have predicted success for the Solar Gard brand with this leadership change as well.

“Considering my history with Solar Gard and the window film industry in general, I think I am qualified to say that the Saint-Gobain acquisition of Solar Gard is going to be beyond great for our industry and of course, all the dealers associated with Solar Gard products,” says Mark Bollegar, president of MarketPro Direct in Tampa, Fla. “In fact, this might just be the most significant acquisition our industry has seen to date. Saint-Gobain is one of the world’s largest and most respected manufacturers of flat glass products. Finally there is an acquiring company that makes for a perfect marriage within our industry—one that will bring dramatic growth opportunities to the table. Window film has always been somewhat of an outcast step-child in the eyes of much of the glass and glazing industry, yet with Saint-Gobain behind Solar Gard, I see nothing but good coming from this union.”

The International Window Film Association (IWFA) also sees value in bringing a major player in the glass industry into the window film industry.

“Saint-Gobain is a major internationally recognized leader with an established commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency within the architectural market. Their decision to become a serious participant in the window film industry is a natural fit, due to the extensive energy-saving benefits of window film,” says Darrell Smith, executive director for the IWFA. “ Current and planned energy efficiency regulations, legislation, and incentives encourage more cost effective measures that can be deployed on a mass scale, and window films provide a solution to these needs. When there are new resources and expertise brought to bear in our industry, all members can benefit in the longer term, since the total reach, impact, and resources of the industry are increased.”

Yet others think it will be business as usual in their market.

“I’ve seen Solar Gard change hands a couple of times and they always hang in there,” says Lee Selvage, owner of Solar Guard of Alabama and a Solar Gard dealer. “Nothing will really change for us.”

Crowe has been with Saint-Gobain for 30 years and holds a BS in chemical engineering from Clarkson University (Potsdam, New York) and an MBA from Boston College. “With more than 30 years of experience in Saint-Gobain’s innovative materials businesses, John is an exceptional leader with strong operational skills,” said Pierre-Andre de Chalendar, chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain. “His appointment underscores Saint-Gobain’s focus on leveraging its innovation and technical expertise to develop products and solutions that change the way we think about built environments. John will help CertainTeed and other Saint-Gobain businesses in North America develop innovative materials that advance the way we build today in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

A press release from Bekaert issued today stated, “While the business continued to grow successfully, technological synergies within Bekaert have proven to be limited over time.

Included in the sale are the production facilities in San Diego, Calif.,  Belgium and China as well as other operations in China, all sales and service centers and all employees currently working for Solar Gard Specialty Films. The sale is expected to be finalized sometime in 2011.

“Subject to final determination of transaction costs and other expenses, Bekaert expects the transaction to result in a capital gain of approximately EUR [10 million], and in a reduction of Bekaert’s consolidated net debt of approximately EUR [80 million],” said a press release from Bekaert.

“We are extremely excited about joining forces with a major recognized player,” says Christophe Fremont, president of Bekaert Specialty Films LLC, manufacturer of Solar Gard® Specialty Films. “Saint-Gobain is a market leader in the automotive and architectural markets and in particular the architectural energy market. There are many synergies, including the brand awareness that we will be able to leverage to grow the market for window film worldwide. Saint-Gobain, like Solar Gard, believes that glazing and window film are complimentary offerings in the market place and that there are huge opportunities for both technologies in the automotive and architectural markets, in particular for providing energy efficiency solutions. Solar Gard window films are proven carbon negative and offer a cost effective and carbon effective solution in many glazing and window projects. Current and planned energy efficiency regulations, legislation, standards and incentives are looking for more cost effective measures that can be deployed on a mass scale, and window films will more often provide the best answer to these needs. The need for glazing and window film will always be there and Saint-Gobain, like Solar Gard, recognizes the opportunity to develop new applications, drive innovation and expand market reach by leveraging the synergies between the two technologies.”

Stay tuned to WINDOW FILM magazine and windowfilmmag.com for more information.