WCA November 2022

People

New sales and solutions director at Emtelle Emtelle, a UK-based manufacturer of blown fibre and ducted solutions, has appointed Mark Bakker as its new sales and solutions director for Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg). and water in infrastructure, buildings and agriculture. Recruited as product manager in 2006, he rose to the position of business manager in-house solutions Netherlands and Germany, responsible for all commercial activities in both countries, and managing account teams and product development. transport, ener gy and electron ics (merged into Lanxess in 2017). A qualified elec trical and elec tronics engineer,

Mark Bakker

Based in Amsterdam, Mr Bakker brings experience to the role, following a career in business development and solutions spanning more than 25 years. He previously worked for 16 years with Pipelife, a supplier of plastic piping systems and solutions for energy

Mr Bakker also studied business studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Science. Commenting on his new appointment, he said, “I am delighted to have joined Emtelle and [at] a very exciting time for the company, as it further consolidates its position as a market leader for solutions in Europe. I aim to share the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the years to drive forward new business, expand Emtelle’s portfolio in the region, and bring sustainable solutions to Emtelle’s customers.” Tony Rodgers, CEO of Emtelle, said, “I am looking forward to Mark guiding us to even greater success, thanks to his undoubted experience and expertise.” Emtelle UK Ltd www.emtelle.com

Other managerial positions include work ing as sales manager Benelux, Switzer land, Austria and Italy for global corpo ration Chemtura, focused on providing speciality chemicals to sectors including

Board appointment at Harting

Doris Höpfl has taken over as board member for human resources and legal officer of the Harting Technology Group, a provider of industrial connection technology for data, signal and power with 14 production plants and 44 sales companies. She began her new role on 19 September, and replaces Dr Michael Pütz, who retired after a 24-year tenure of company service. Harting Stiftung & Co KG www.harting.com

Doris Höpfl

Leadership change in Altana’s Elantas division Speciality chemicals group Altana has announced a change in leadership at Elantas, its division specialising in insulating and protective coatings.

an essential role in helping to shape Altana’s sustained success,” said Martin Babilas, CEO of Altana AG. “Elantas has developed very positively under his leadership, above all with the transformation to innovative electromobility solutions. We

Dr Guido Forstbach will retire at the end of this year and hand over the presidency of the Elantas division to Ravindra Kumar, who will also become a member of Altana’s executive management team as of 1 January 2023. Mr Kumar is currently managing director of Elantas PDG in St Louis, USA. Dr Forstbach joined the Altana Group in 2000 as managing director of what is now Actega Rhenania, and became president of the Actega division in 2001. He previously held various international technical and sales positions at Akzo Nobel and Sun Chemical. As part of the rotation of all four of Altana’s division presidents, Dr Forstbach, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, became head of Elantas in November 2012. successfully managed two divisions over a period of more than 20 years and has thus played “Guido Forstbach has

Guido Forstbach

Ravindra Kumar

more than 30 years of experience in the chemical industry. “Ravindra Kumar is distinguished not only by his excellent professional competence and international management experi ence; he is also a true team player who understands how to achieve top perfor mances with good cooperation – in keep ing with Altana’s corporate culture,” said Mr Babilas. “We are looking forward to working with Ravindra Kumar in Altana’s executive management team and wish him and Jan Behnke every success and great pleasure in their future positions.” Altana AG www.altana.com Elantas www.elantas.com

wish Guido Forstbach in advance all the best for his well-deserved retirement.” Mr Kumar has worked in the chemical industry for 26 years. In the first 15 years of his career, the chemical engineer held sales and marketing positions at Asian Paints, BASF and Huntsman in India. In 2012, he moved to Brussels within the Huntsman Group before joining the Altana Group as managing director of Elantas Beck India in January 2014. Since 2019, he has been managing director of Elantas PDG in St Louis. Mr Kumar’s successor as managing director of Elantas PDG, Jan Behnke, is currently responsible for sales and technology in the US company, and has a degree in business administration and

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November 2022