EASTON, Pa. -- Victaulic, a manufacturer of mechanical pipe-joining systems, announced Rick Bucher has been appointed to the position of president and COO, effective immediately. Bucher will continue reporting to John F. Malloy who has served as Chairman, President & CEO for the past 16 years. John will remain Chairman and CEO.

Bucher began his career with Victaulic in 2009 as vice president, product development, and rose to the position of executive vice president, technology & product development. In June 2019, Bucher was named COO. 

Bucher joined Victaulic after spending 14 years at W.L. Gore, where he worked in industrial and medical sectors. Bucher holds bachelor's and master's degrees in material science and engineering from Rice University and a doctorate in composite materials from Virginia Tech. A materials science engineer by training and an inventor by nature, Bucher holds 21 patents and patent applications.