Editor’s note: Updated April 18, 2023

The following industry professionals have recently received appointments or promotions.

Archroma Announces CEO Transition

Archroma, a specialty chemicals company, has announced that Heike van de Kerkhof, who has been the CEO since January 2020, will step down effective April 30 to pursue other opportunities. Industry executive Mark Garrett will assume the role of interim CEO.

Archroma’s board of directors has initiated a comprehensive search process for installing a permanent CEO and has retained an executive search firm to evaluate both internal and external candidates.

“We are enthusiastic about Mark Garrett joining Archroma as interim CEO, a seasoned executive who brings substantial industry experience which encompasses directly relevant knowledge of Archroma’s product portfolio and end markets. Mark has served in the capacity of chairman and CEO and in senior executive leadership roles with companies such as OMV/Borealis, Marquard & Bahls, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, and DuPont. He is a proven leader and the perfect choice to serve as Archroma’s interim CEO, said Miguel Kohlmann, chairman of the board of directors of Archroma.

NAGASE Names Daniel Roske as West Coast Account Manager for U.S. Expansion

Daniel Roske has been appointed West Coast Account Manager for Nagase Specialty Materials NA LLC (NSM), a hybrid distributor and manufacturer of specialty chemical products.

Roske has laboratory experience in working with coatings, structural adhesives, isocyanate adhesives, and automotive coatings with companies like Borden Chemical (now Hexion) and Spraylat Corporation (now PPG). He also has more than 15 years of experience in CASE sales and business development.

“Being able to connect the manufacturers of these products with responsible and renewable chemistries gives me a great deal of satisfaction – both professionally and personally,” said Roske.

NSM recently announced its organic expansion into 10 states in the Western United States.

KANSAI HELIOS Selects Dietmar Jost as President

Dietmar Jost, KANSAI HELIOS

Jost

KANSAI HELIOS has announced that Dietmar Jost, who was the executive director, became the new president and executive director of the KANSAI HELIOS Group on April 1.

The company says that he was elected president based on his “deep and extensive understanding and leadership in sales and R&D for the entire group,” with the goal of strengthening its system supplier strategy.

Jost succeeded Junichi Kajima, who has invited back to KANSAI PAINT Japan to strengthen the management team there. Yoshihiro Tanaka from KANSAI PAINT Japan will also join the Group management board as executive director in April after his relocation to Austria.

As such, former executive director Bastian Krauss, is now executive vice president and executive director of the Group. He has continued managing the group-wide production and operations areas, as well as the further integration and development of the company’s powder coatings business.

AkzoNobel Names Ricardo Rosso as Pontiac Facility Site Manager

Ricardo Rosso, AkzoNobel

Rosso

AkzoNobel has announced that Ricardo Rosso is the site manager for its Pontiac Automotive and Specialty Coatings manufacturing facility as of March 1.

Rosso started with AkzoNobel in 2011 in Brazil and then joined its North America team (NAM) in 2018 as the production manager for Marine, Protective and Yacht (MPY) Coatings at Akzo’s Houston, TX, factory. Previously, he held various roles in supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing teams and has supported several projects across the wood, packaging, and coil business segments.

“As the Pontiac site manager, Ricardo leads all manufacturing operations to ensure our supply chain has continuous improvement. Ricardo brings excellent experience and skills to Pontiac,” said Nate Norris, NAM manufacturing and supply chain director.

Barentz Expands Market Acceleration Team

Barentz, a distributor of specialty chemicals, has appointed Bryan Daniels as director of its Market Acceleration Group.

Daniels has more than two decades of sales and leadership experience, especially in building teams and initiating strategic plans to promote sales growth.

Barentz describes the Market Acceleration Group as a market growth engine to identify, research, and qualify market opportunities for product lines across their North American divisions. As director, Daniels’ role will be leading the overall process, which includes plan development, information gathering, the execution of qualification campaigns, the overseeing of digital marketing initiatives, and the engagement of prospective customers.

“This is a crucial position within Barentz, and his proven leadership, coaching, and team-building skills will bring significant value to the Barentz sales organization,” said Mike Efting, executive vice president, Market and Sales Development.

BASF Makes Personnel Changes

BASF has announced that Tobias Dratt, president of the BASF Corporation North America Division in Florham Park, NJ, and Marc Ehrhardt, president of the Global Business Services Division in Ludwigshafen, Germany, will trade positions, effective May 1.