Vision Statement
IGI will be the leading sales and marketing organization and manufacturer of petroleum waxes and related products in North America. IGI's leadership position will be based on our technical expertise, and our innovative and proactive approach to customer partnerships and their corresponding requirements.
IGI's leadership position will be supported by actively managing the business to meet the changing demands of the market. We will ensure our products and services are cost competitive and that resources are continually dedicated to productivity improvements throughout the company.
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS- Leadership
- Profitable Growth (margin per pound of wax sold)
- Partnerships with Customers/Suppliers
- Technical Expertise
- Innovative and Proactive
- Competitive and Cost Effective
- Flexibility
W. Ross Reucassel, CEO and Chairman of IGI
History
The International Group, Inc. (IGI) has been in the wax business for over 60 years. The organization, originally known as International Waxes Limited, was founded in Toronto, Ontario by William Reucassel in 1943 and incorporated in 1945.
William Reucassel, Founder
William Reucassel was responsible for building Canada's first solvent de-oiling petroleum wax refinery on a 3 acre piece of property that he purchased in Agincourt, Canada in 1945. It was at this refinery that an oily by-product of lube oil manufacture called slack wax was converted into what we now refer to as fully refined paraffin wax. In 1949 the refinery came online with 100 sq. ft. of filtering capacity and hand slabbing capability at the rate of 2,000 lbs every 6 hours. Total refinery output was 5 million lbs per year. Today IGI owns Greer machines that output wax slabs at the rate of 8,000 lbs/hr and total refinery output is in excess of 150 million lbs of wax per year.
In 1955 William Reucassel passed away and was succeeded by Dr. David Aziz, a young engineer who had joined the company shortly after the initial refinery start up period. The company continued to grow and prosper.
In 1966 at the age 29, Ross Reucassel, son of the founder William Reucassel, became President and Dr. David Aziz continued to provide leadership as Chairman. Under Ross's leadership the organization continued to successfully grow.
Up until 1977, IGI consisted of the Toronto facility and a Montreal sales office. Shortly afterwards a growth and diversification strategy was initiated and by 1986 businesses had been acquired in the United States allowing IGI to become a fully integrated manufacturer and blender of paraffin wax and related specialty products. In addition to a wax refinery in Toronto, IGI has wax blending, packaging & storage and customer service & sales offices throughout the United States.
In the early 90's Ross's son, Ken Reucassel, joined IGI and soon after became Chief Operating Officer and eventually President. Ken has been integral in working with his father in enhancing operations, implementing quality programs and providing overall leadership for new growth initiatives.
IGI continues to sell products worldwide and is committed long term to the wax industry.
In 2003 IGI acquired the BP Global Special Product US wax business. The sale included BP's wax operations throughout North and Central America. Under the terms of the sale, IGI acquired wax formulation data, local trademarks, supplier and customer information, manufacturing knowledge, and inventory.
In 2005 IGI acquired the US-based industrial wax business from Honeywell Speciaty Materials. This sale included not only product and customer data but refining and blending faciluties as well. The acquisition increased IGI's total refining capacity and strengthend positions in such areas as candles and tire and rubber industries.
These acquisitions along with IGI's commitment to the wax industry leave The Organization poised to strengthen its leadership role into the 21st century.