ARCELORMITTAL SA’s "intensive search for a CEO has finally ended", the group said on Tuesday in announcing the appointment of Willem de Klerk as CEO and executive director from the beginning of September.
This means Mr de Klerk takes over at SA’s largest steel producer from the company’s chief financial officer, Dean Subramanian — who is acting CEO — only six months after the departure of former CEO Paul O’Flaherty, who left last month.
Mr de Klerk has spent the last 15 years in general management positions at both Kumba Resources and Exxaro Resources, where he is still finance director and executive director.
"The board of ArcelorMittal SA warmly welcome Mr de Klerk to the company. We are confident that his vast business experience and understanding of the steel industry will enable him to lead the strategic transformation of the company," chairman Mpho Makwana said.
Mr de Klerk is a chartered accountant with more than 30 years experience in the audit, tax, steel, titanium and mining industries. He once managed Iscor Quarries and the Grootgeluk mine, before becoming a member of the Iscor executive team in 1999.
The company said Mr de Klerk had been selected in a stringent process overseen by the board and guided by various criteria including steel-industry knowledge and experience, and the ability to "strategically transform the business in a difficult and challenging operating environment, while giving due consideration to transformation".
Shareholders, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, union officials, and employees had been informed of the decision, it said.
Before stepping down, Mr O’Flaherty warned of a "bloodbath year" for the company, indicating that antidumping duties of 30%-60% were needed on some Chinese steel imports.
The government has approved a 10% tariff on certain duty-free imported steel products. But this may not be enough to save the local industry, which is in meltdown.
Wim de Klerk. Picture: RUSSELL ROBERTS
ARCELORMITTAL SA’s "intensive search for a CEO has finally ended", the group said on Tuesday in announcing the appointment of Willem de Klerk as CEO and executive director from the beginning of September.
This means Mr de Klerk takes over at SA’s largest steel producer from the company’s chief financial officer, Dean Subramanian — who is acting CEO — only six months after the departure of former CEO Paul O’Flaherty, who left last month.
Mr de Klerk has spent the last 15 years in general management positions at both Kumba Resources and Exxaro Resources, where he is still finance director and executive director.
"The board of ArcelorMittal SA warmly welcome Mr de Klerk to the company. We are confident that his vast business experience and understanding of the steel industry will enable him to lead the strategic transformation of the company," chairman Mpho Makwana said.
Mr de Klerk is a chartered accountant with more than 30 years experience in the audit, tax, steel, titanium and mining industries. He once managed Iscor Quarries and the Grootgeluk mine, before becoming a member of the Iscor executive team in 1999.
The company said Mr de Klerk had been selected in a stringent process overseen by the board and guided by various criteria including steel-industry knowledge and experience, and the ability to "strategically transform the business in a difficult and challenging operating environment, while giving due consideration to transformation".
Shareholders, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, union officials, and employees had been informed of the decision, it said.
Before stepping down, Mr O’Flaherty warned of a "bloodbath year" for the company, indicating that antidumping duties of 30%-60% were needed on some Chinese steel imports.
The government has approved a 10% tariff on certain duty-free imported steel products. But this may not be enough to save the local industry, which is in meltdown.
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