Detroit, Michigan — Brennan Lafferty, the publisher of Urethanes Technology International and UTECH-polyurethane.com since 2015, is leaving the company on 31 January.
Urethanes Technology International publisher moves to new position
Lafferty: moving to consultancy
He's joining Troy, Michigan-based Motormindz, an automotive industry consultancy, where he will serve as senior vice president of strategy and business development.
'I am filled with gratitude for my many years at Crain. KC Crain and the Crain family gave me the chance of a lifetime. I'm also so thankful to the team at Plastics News and the entire Global Polymer Group,' Lafferty said.
'These people are the most hard-working, dedicated group of professionals. We've travelled the world, laughed, succeeded, failed and tried again. Between our staff and the amazing people in the industries we cover, I've made friendships that will last forever.
'I have great respect and admiration for the global polyurethane industry, which I met though our UTECH Events in Europe, North and South America, and China. I shall miss the people and the many friends that I have made in the industry,' he said.
Lafferty has had a 29 year career in publishing, including 25 years at Urethanes Technology International and UTECH Exhibitions and Conferences. He joined the company in January 1997 as a copy editor at Waste News, based in Akron, Ohio. He was promoted to managing editor in 1999, and moved to the commercial side in 2007 as an account executive.
In 2011, he was promoted to publisher, and helped move the renamed Waste & Recycling News brand to Detroit.
As publisher, Lafferty expanded Plastics News' events business, and led the migration of that brand to Crain's Detroit headquarters. In 2015, he took on additional responsibility of the UK office, the group's trade show business and the rubber brands out of the Akron office, becoming group publisher and vice president.
In that role, in addition to Urethanes Technology International and Plastics News, he served as publisher of Rubber News, Tire Business and Sustainable Plastics.
