Displaying items by tag: Netherlands

Netherlands: LyondellBasell, one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, has appointed Thomas Aebischer, former CFO at Holcim, has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from 1 January 2016.

"Thomas is a highly experienced and accomplished leader who brings a global perspective, deep knowledge of financial markets and significant experience at the executive level of large, multinational companies. Given his past experience and success in a variety of financial positions all over the world, I am very confident that he will be a tremendous asset as we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy," said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell's Chief Executive Officer.

Aebischer joins LyondellBasell after having served in a variety of positions, including CFO, over a nearly 20-year career with Holcim. In his role as Holcim's CFO, Aebischer's responsibilities included the company's information technology, accounting and administration, investor relations, risk management and procurement functions. Earlier in his career, Aebischer held positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Bern cantonal tax authorities in Switzerland.

"LyondellBasell's transformation into one of the premier companies in the petrochemical industry is very impressive," said Aebischer. "It is truly an honour to join Bob and his team of leaders, who share a relentless focus on safety, operational excellence and the creation of shareholder value."

As LyondellBasell's CFO, Aebischer will be nominated to serve as a member of the company's management board and will be responsible for leading the company's treasury, information technology, tax, finance and accounting functions. Aebischer will report directly to Patel.

Netherlands: Silicon, a specialist company in refractory anchoring systems and rapid arc stud welding technology, has announced that six new members have joined its team, where they will be instrumental in leading the organisation to drive worldwide business growth.

Marc Beers, who has been appointed as sales manager, has 15 years of experience at different sales management positions. "I look forward to working with such an awesome team and we are excited to work together on providing the best products and services to our customers." said Beers.

US/Cuba: A lawsuit in Spain has revealed documents indicating that Holcim may have invested in a cement plant in Cuba despite warnings the deal might violate US law because the plant sits on land seized from US citizens. The deal took place in 2000, when Holcim was known as Holderbank, but allegedly the ownership went through a string of companies in Spain, the Netherlands and Panama, according to documents filed in a lawsuit reported upon by the Miami Herald.

"Holderbank's investment in the Cienfuegos property clearly would constitute 'trafficking' in confiscated property under Title IV of Helms-Burton," wrote US lawyers hired to advise Holcim. Holcim denies that it owns a business or a stake in a business in Cuba.

The court documents are part of a lawsuit involving three Spanish firms. Firebrick SA and Acedos Trading allege that Inversiones Ibersuizas owes them more than US$2m from an investment in Cuba in 2000. The documents suggest that Ibersuizas created a Spanish firm, Las Pailas de Cemento, in 2000 that paid US$70m to Cuba for 50% of the joint venture, Cementos Cienfuegos plant. Holcim allegedly controlled the project through a Panama company, Windward Overseas. The deal subsequently began to break down in 2004.

Since 2004, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which enforces the US embargo on Cuba, has fined foreign companies more than US$1.25bn for violating US laws and regulations.

Netherlands: Van Aalst Bulk Handling B.V. has appointed Dick Borst as International Sales Manager. Borst will be added to the sales team of Van Aalst Bulk handling, that currently consists of A van Aalst and H van Est. Van Aalst Bulk Handling is a producer of shore based pneumatic ship (un)loading systems for abrasive bulk powders such as cement and fly ash.