WCA May 2019

Industry news

Change of management at SMS

implement our growth strategy and to remain a key partner for our most sophisticated customers.” Dr Guido Kleinschmidt left the management board at his own request on 28 th February, and has taken up a new role outside the SMS group. SMS group companies are internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and non-ferrous metals industry, with 14,000 employees who generate worldwide sales of more than €3 billion. SMS group – Germany Website : www.sms-group.com Cable benefits from second upgrade Huawei Marine has completed the West Africa Cable System (WACS) upgrade II. The project was signed in February 2018 and put into commercial use in October of the same year. The upgrade realised 32x100G wavelengths, configured on the longest optically amplified single fibre span stretching 11,500km from South Africa to Portugal. Huawei Marine – China Website : www.huaweimarine.com

SMS group has expanded its management team with the appointment of Prof Dr Hans Ferkel as chief technology officer, Michael Rzepczyk becoming chief operating officer and Dr Guido Kleinschmidt leaving the management board. This expansion implements a clear functional organisation of the management board with focus on innovative products, efficient order execution and digital processes. Prof Dr Ferkel currently serves as head of technology and innovation at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. Previously, he held senior management R&D positions at Volkswagen. Prof Dr Ferkel will take up his new role at the earliest possible date. Mr Rzepczyk has been in his role since 1 st March. He was previously executive vice president of the metallurgy business unit and was mainly responsible for the execution of major projects. “I am delighted to welcome Prof Dr Ferkel and Mr Rzepczyk to our management team. They are experienced industry experts and will support SMS in further expanding its market leadership in metallurgical plant construction,” said CEO Burkhard Dahmen. “The management board is now perfectly positioned to

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2019