February 19, 2026 11:19

Biesterfeld, the German group active in polymer distribution, has appointed Joe Read (pictured) as Managing Director for the UK & Ireland, effective March 1, 2026.
He succeeds Guy Payne, who will move into a long-term advisor position after two decades leading the business in the region.

Read brings experience from the British and European engineering polymers market, with senior responsibilities spanning sales, commercial leadership and strategic marketing. His career includes roles at DuPont, Delrin and EMS-Chemie. He also has a background in composites distribution, having led a distribution company with his father for several years.

In a statement, Read said he will focus on supporting Biesterfeld’s next development phase in the UK and Ireland, building on the company’s existing position in the British polymer industry.

Biesterfeld Group is active in distribution and services for polymers, rubber, specialty chemicals and ingredients. The company reports more than 1,100 employees across over 50 locations and annual revenue of EUR 1.29 billion (2024).

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