US: Plibrico has appointed John Finch has joined its team as the Southeastern Territory Manager. He will be based in the greater Omaha, Nebraska area. His appointment supports Plibrico’s strategic direction of strengthening partner relationships as well as increasing its nationwide refractory support coverage. He will report to Norm Phelps, Plibrico Vice President of Sales.

Finch began his career in the industrial market working with a boiler and refractory contractor. His background includes over 20 years of experience in technical and project management roles with several different refractory contractors. In these positions, he honed his skill set and areas of expertise including managing projects in mineral processing companies, power plants, boilers, foundries and heat treatment facilities. Finch is an active member of several different industry and refractory associations. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska.

Pakistan: Local cement despatches grew by 5.9% year-on-year to 40.9Mt in 2018 from 38.6Mt in 2017. Exports increased by 42% to 5.9Mt from 4.6Mt, according to data from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. Overall, all cement despatches rose by 9.4% to 46.8Mt from 42.8Mt. By region, despatches and imports grew faster in the south of the country and exports fell by 7.8% in the north. Exports to Afghanistan fell by 12% but exports to India rose by 2% and overseas exports increased by 155%.

Sweden: Lars Engström, the president of Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, has announced his plans to leave Sandvik during 2019 after the appointment of a successor. Engström has been a member of Sandvik Group’s Executive Management and led the Business Area Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology since 2016.

Mexico: Cemex has made a number of changes to the organisation of its senior level positions with effect from 1 February 2019.

Juan Romero Torres, currently president of Cemex Mexico, has been appointed Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Development. This new role aims to build on the progress that Cemex says it has achieved in its Customer Centricity strategy, providing it with a formal structure that will allow new opportunities to add value to customers and markets. Ricardo Naya Barba, current president of Cemex Colombia, has been appointed president of Cemex Mexico.

Jaime Gerardo Elizondo Chapa, currently president of Cemex Europe, has been appointed Executive Vice President of Global Supply Chain Development. This new role aims to grow Cemex´s Supply Chain capabilities to gain additional efficiencies in end-to-end operations. Sergio Mauricio Menendez Medina, currently Distribution Channel Vice President for Cemex Mexico, has been appointed president of Cemex Europe.