AkzoNobel CEO Hans Wijers to leave 2012 - Ton Büchner to succeed
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
June 10, 2011
The Supervisory Board of Akzo Nobel N.V. ("AkzoNobel") has today announced that
Hans Wijers, Chief Executive Officer, has decided to step down with effect from
the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2012.
The Supervisory Board also announced the appointment of Ton Büchner as the
company's new Chief Executive Officer - pending AGM approval - with effect from
the AGM 2012. Ton Büchner is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of
Swiss publically-quoted multinational Sulzer AG.
Hans Wijers
Hans Wijers (age 60) joined AkzoNobel as Member of the Board of Management in
October 2002, and was subsequently appointed CEO in May 2003. Having previously
pursued a successful career as minister for economics in the Netherlands and
within management consultancy, he quickly identified that the diversity of the
company - the product of a history of mergers and acquisitions - was preventing
the creation of long-term value for all stakeholders.
In his first few years, he improved the pipeline of the Pharma business, focused
the Chemicals businesses and successfully grew Coatings. Following these
strategic changes, he successfully led the transformation of the company by
divesting its pharmaceuticals operations and acquiring ICI, effectively creating
today's AkzoNobel, the world leader in coatings and specialty chemicals.
Hans Wijers' focus to deliver value for all stakeholders realized an improved
track record in the area of sustainability, a more diverse and engaged workforce
and a true global spread of the company's operations. Under Hans' leadership,
AkzoNobel has recently embarked on a strategy of accelerated, sustainable growth
aiming at ?20 billion of revenues in the medium-term and year-on-year EBITDA
growth.
"Hans has built a considerable legacy at AkzoNobel which bears testament to his
skills as a leader and businessman," commented Karel Vuursteen, Chairman of
AkzoNobel's Supervisory Board. "The transformation of the company from a diverse
conglomerate in 2003 to a focused, global market leader in coatings, specialty
chemicals and sustainability is due, in large part, to his vision and drive. He
will leave behind a business which is both operationally and financially strong;
capable of continuing to grow and to deliver real value to all stakeholders."
Ton Büchner
Ton Büchner (age 45) has been Chief Executive Officer of Sulzer AG ("Sulzer"), a
publically traded company on the Swiss Stock Exchange, since 2007. He joined
Sulzer in 1994 and has held a number of operational and leadership roles across
the company including the presidencies of two of its divisions, Sulzer
Turbomachinery Services and Sulzer Pumps. He was also Chief Representative and
responsible for Sulzer operations in China.
Ton Büchner has a proven track record for strategically developing and
significantly growing the businesses he has managed, also under difficult market
conditions. He started his professional career as an offshore oil and gas
construction engineer with Allseas Engineering in Europe and worked for
AkerKvaener throughout South East Asia for several years.
A Dutch national, Ton Büchner graduated from Delft University of Technology with
an MSc in Civil Engineering and gained an MBA from the International Institute
for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland.
"We are fortunate to have secured Ton Büchner as our new CEO. His proven
strategic experience leading a public company, and his expertise in the global
industrial arena make him the ideal candidate for this role," said Karel
Vuursteen. "He also has an excellent track record of delivering strong results
and experience of leading businesses in high-growth markets. We look forward to
Ton joining us in January and building on the strong foundations left by his
predecessor."
- - -
AkzoNobel is the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer
of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with
innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for
our customers. Our portfolio includes well known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens,
International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are a
Global Fortune 500 company and are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in
the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our
55,000 people around the world are committed to excellence and delivering
Tomorrow's Answers Today(TM).
Not for publication - for more information
Corporate Media Relations Corporate
Investor Relations
Tel. +31 20 502 7833 Tel.
+31 20 502 7854
Contact: Tim van der Zanden Contacts: Huib
Wurfbain and Ivar Smits
Pdf file AkzoNobel press release:
http://hugin.info/130660/R/1522635/458846.pdf
Resume Ton Büchner:
http://hugin.info/130660/R/1522635/458875.pdf
Photo Ton Büchner on sofa:
http://hugin.info/130660/R/1522635/458851.JPG
Photo Ton Büchner:
http://hugin.info/130660/R/1522635/458850.JPG
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(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Akzo Nobel NV via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1522635]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 10.06.2011 - 07:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 55467
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Kategorie:
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