Business & Tech

Retirement Brings Leadership Change to BASF

J.D. Purvis, who has led the Wyandotte company since 2008, is retiring. Greg Pflum will be the new general manager.

There's a new man about to take over at BASF.

J.D. Purvis, who has led the company for the last three years, is retiring at the end of the month.

Greg Pflum of Chicago has been named the new general manager.

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"My three years here in the Wyandotte area have been some of the most rewarding of my career and my career goes back 38 years, so that’s really saying something," Purvis said at Monday night's Wyandotte City Council meeting. "I’ll never forget Wyandotte."

Since his time at the helm of one of the city's largest businesses, Purvis said about 200 new jobs have been added at BASF's Wyandotte facility.

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"I’m leaving here with mixed emotions, but I can assure you that the gentleman that is coming to take my place has the same ambitions in mind for this community and for BASF going forward," Purvis said.

Pflum has been at the Wyandotte plant for about a month and said Purvis has been "a great mentor" during the transitioning process.

"I will define success in a few years driven by safety and by being a good community member," Pflum told city officials Monday night. "I look forward to working with you. I look forward to your help in ensuring that safe, sustainable and growing future for BASF in Wyandotte. And I really look forward to developing a friendship with each one of you."


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