Yupo Corp. America, a synthetic paper manufacturer, has named Byron Bassett its president and chief executive officer. 

Bassett has an extensive career in manufacturing, fabrication and logistics for global industrial products.  Most recently, he was corporate vice president for Precision Fabrics Group, Inc., a North Carolina-based global manufacturer of technical fabrics developed for industrial, automotive, medical and protective apparel applications.

“Byron is a recognized business leader with extensive experience in building profitable companies and highly functioning organizations for companies with locations in the United States, Europe and Asia,” says Andre Fischbach of Yupo.  “His arrival is fortuitous during this period of global supply chain challenges and we look forward to his leadership as we grow our business in a post-COVID world.”

“Joining the Yupo team is an exciting opportunity for me. We produce the premium product in our industry and our brand is recognized throughout the world,” Bassett says.  “Returning to Virginia after many years, I’m impressed to see how much the state and Hampton Roads have grown in importance to global trade.  I look forward to expanding Yupo’s market share upholding its reputation as a good corporate citizen and an employer-of-choice in the regional economy.”   

Bassett earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Bryan School of Business (1995).   He also received a post-graduate certificate in Corporate Financial Analysis from UNCC’s Bryan School of Business (2004-2005).  Bassett attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research.

In his last position, he recently drove a COVID-era business “pivot” for Professional Fabrics Group and developed new grades of medical fabrics to offset declining aerospace/automotive sector sales and revenue gaps. He also managed severe supply chain disruptions in the domestic supply of material sources that risked shutting down automotive suppliers in late 2020. Prior to that, he held positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, sales, management and at the executive level for companies such as Rain Bird Corporation, Mueller ICCS, CGR Products, Armstrong World Industries.

Bassett replaces Andre Fischbach, who held the position since 2016.