WCA May 2022

People

IWMA welcomes new chairman Don Neville, managing director of RichardsApex Europe Ltd – the UK subsidiary of RichardsApex Inc, USA – was named chairman of the International Wire and Machinery Association (IWMA) at its annual general meeting in February.

levels are re-established, Mr Neville says that the devastation of the pandemic has also presented opportunities: “Leaner work practices, new ways of working and online meetings all mean we are quicker to respond to queries, and now our meetings can be truly global and more inclusive. Participants can take part from their offices, not after flying thousands of miles and spending a huge amount of money.” Exhibitions, however, are a different matter, he added: “There is really no online substitute for the international shows – we’re all missing them a lot. “Hopefully, wire Düsseldorf will happen this year and things will start to get closer to normality.” International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) www.iwma.org

provide continuity. Where do we go for new recruits, and how do we train them? It’s not as if you can go to a specific school to study the intricacies of cable making. “There’s nothing that will take a young ster from machine fundamentals to the mind-boggling science behind some of our members’ work. “I’m keen to see in what ways IWMA can help to maintain our members’ expertise and pay it forward to newcomers – perhaps even encourage the brightest of them to consider wire and cable first. We need to help the industry to find innovative ways to improve the way people are hired and trained.” Although the industry has endured two years of the most difficult trading conditions in decades, and it could be a few years before pre-Covid funding

Recognising the challenges that will be faced, he believes that the pandemic has helped IWMA’s board think about what the association does and in which direction it should be heading. Helping the recruitment and education of the next generation of engineers could be

one of the most important jobs of his three-year term. “One big focus for us has to be edu cation,” Mr Neville explained. “Most company bosses are desperate to

Don Neville

New vice president at Buehler ITW Test & Measurement

of key industries including aerospace, automotive and electronics. A native of Mexico, Mr Calderón earned a bachelor of science in chemical engi- neering and anMBA from the Tecnológico de Monterrey and EGADE Business School. After working in sales and business development at Hilti in Mexico, he joined ITW in 2011, first with responsibility for Latin America and then as vice president and general manager with global responsibility for high precision welding.

Illinois Tool Works (ITW), Lake Bluff, Illinois, USA, has appointed Eugenio Calderón as vice president of Buehler ITW Test & Measurement, effective 1 February. Based at the company’s headquarters, Mr Calderón is responsible for Buehler’s global business with systems for cutting, embedding, grinding, polishing and analysing material samples as well as hardness testing systems. Applications range from metals to ceramics and glass to plastics for a variety

Eugenio Calderón

After a short break in plastics distribution, he returned to the group in 2021. Mr Calderón succeeded Julien Noel, who took over the position of vice president and general manager at ITW Powertrain Europe in Geneva, Switzerland. Buehler ITW Test & Measurement www.buehler.com

Giovanni Spitale named CEO of Davis-Standard Davis-Standard has appointed Giovanni Spitale as chief executive officer. Mr Spitale replaces Jim Murphy, who has been elected as vice chairman of the board of directors. The company has also elected several individuals as members of the board of directors, including Brian Marston, Bill Barker and John McGrath. in the market […]. I look forward to work ing with the Davis-Standard organisation to continue to grow the business globally and support our world-class base of cus tomers with differentiated product offer ings and services.”

of directors in this next and very exciting phase of Davis-Standard’s long history.” Mr Spitale was previously vice president of commercial parts within Boeing Global Services. In this role, he had full responsibility for profit and loss management and strategic direction of Boeing’s $4bn portfolio of commercial aircraft and engine parts businesses. Prior to his tenure at Boeing, he was president of customer service and support at Milacron. Davis-Standard www.davis-standard.com

Mr Murphy commented, “I want to thank the entire Davis-Standard organisation for the many years of strong performance that we have collectively executed upon under my tenure as CEO. I am thrilled to continue to serve the company as vice chairman of the board of directors and look forward to collaborating with Giovanni alongside the broader board

“I am extremely excited to join the Davis Standard organisation,” said Mr Spitale. “Having spent considerable time in the polymer processing and broader capital equipment industries, I have long ad mired Davis-Standard’s leading position

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May 2022