EuroWire July 2023

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Metalube welcomes new commercial manager for wire and tube

a vast sector and expanding all the time; no one can know everything, but a live-wire company like this can certainly be there at the forefront of developments, so I aim to grow my own knowledge alongside my new colleagues.

Industrial lubricants manufacturer Metalube has appointed Andy Lewis as commercial manager – wire and tube. Mr Lewis is a well-known figure in the industry, coming to Metalube from the International Wire and Machinery Association (IWMA), where he had been executive manager for the past 11 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the global wire and machinery trade to his new role. Metalube commercial director Douglas Hunt said, “We’re really excited to have Andy on board. His knowledge of the industry is beyond anything we could have hoped for. It’s also fabulous for us to welcome an old friend to the Metalube family; he will be working alongside experienced colleagues in the wire and cable sector, so we know our lubricant business will continue to thrive.” Commenting on his new appointment, Mr Lewis said, “Metalube is a truly innovative company in its field, so I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to its continuing growth, and the chance to improve my own skills. Wire and cable is such

Andy Lewis

team, and I’m confident he’ll be a great asset to the company and the global Leibinger network.” Mr Lopez holds an engineering degree from INSA Rennes and an executive MBA with highest honours from HEC Paris. At Markem Imaje he was part of the executive team and held multiple global leadership positions, including overall responsibility for global sales, global marketing and most recently as president of the main location in France. The filling of the position of chief commercial officer continues the expansion of Leibinger’s global leadership team: other key management positions at Leibinger Americas were also recently filled. Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co KG www.leibinger-group.com “With the IWMA I spent a lot of time travelling to the big international shows to meet member companies and talk to their senior staff. What interests me about this role is that it won’t be about speaking to as many people as possible over a couple of days, but talking to fewer colleagues with a common cause on specific projects, which should be fascinating. As far as geography goes, I am particularly looking forward to spending time with customers and colleagues in Southeast Asia, which is a market with huge potential for Metalube.” Metalube Group www.metalube.co.uk

Leibinger expands leadership team

Coding and marking specialist Leibinger has appointed Christophe Lopez as chief commercial officer. Mr Lopez has experience from more than 15 years working in the coding and marking industry, including 12 years at Markem

Imaje. As chief commercial officer, he will take responsibility for the overall commercial development, from strategy to implementation, leading the sales and marketing teams. Group CEO Christina Leibinger said, “We are convinced that together with Mr Lopez we will continue our success story and grow the business dynamically. It’s fantastic to have Mr Lopez join the Leibinger leadership

Photo credit: Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co KG

Christophe Lopez

Management changes at SMS With the aim of developing a climate neutral and sustainable metals industry, SMS group is establishing an innovation hub for future technologies.

Hansmann, who was most recently responsible for the metallurgy business of SMS group, as well as being CTO of SMS subsidiary Paul Wurth. “With the establishment of the innovation hub we will give selected technologies the focused attention and acceleration that we need to be successful in the market,” said Edwin Eichler, chairman of the supervisory board at SMS. “Hans Ferkel is the ideal person to use his broad know-how for this. Thomas Hansmann will bring his long-standing technological and metallurgical experience to the managing board.”

The new unit is expected to accelerate future technologies and develop them to market maturity. As part of this, new management responsibilities were established in May. Hans Ferkel, CTO and member of the managing board since 2019, will lead and build up the new SMS innovation hub as CEO. His successor as CTO on the managing board will be Thomas

Hans Ferkel (left) and Thomas Hansmann

SMS group GmbH www.sms-group.com

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July 2023