Ahlstrom-Munksjö: Changes in Management Team and new business structure for integration of acquired business and strategic alignment to be implemented

AHLSTROM-MUNKSJÖ OYJ, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, APRIL 25, 2019 at 08:15

Ahlstrom-Munksjö will implement a new business and reporting structure as of January 1, 2020. The new organizational structure is a natural next step following the completion and initial integration phase of the Expera Specialty Solutions acquisition. With the new structure, Ahlstrom-Munksjö will promote its core business capabilities, sharpen its strategic targets and align business characteristics of each business area.

In the new organizational structure, businesses are combined which share same core capabilities, strategic targets and characteristics. This enables Ahlstrom-Munksjö to strengthen and further promote its capabilities in areas of product development and innovation, global key customer account management, product and production technology as well as process improvement and production optimization. The reorganization will support profitable growth, competitiveness as well as customer service.

The transformative acquisition of Expera Specialty Solutions was completed on October 10, 2018. The acquisition almost tripled Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s net sales in the U.S. This specialty paper business is highly complementary with Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s fiber-based solutions businesses and provides attractive cost and business synergies. The integration work has proceeded successfully. In the new business structure, where the acquired fifth business will be integrated into Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s operating platform, the full potential of the business combination will be realized.

The new Business Area structure as of January 1, 2020

Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s organizational structure and reporting segments, as of January 1, 2020, and their leaders will be as follows:

• Business Area Filtration and Performance Solutions, Executive Vice President Daniele Borlatto
• Business Area Advanced Solutions, Executive Vice President Omar Hoek
• Business Area Industrial Solutions, Executive Vice President Dan Adrianzon
• Business Area Food and Technical Solutions, Executive Vice President Robyn Buss
• Business Area Decor Solutions, Executive Vice President Tomas Wulkan

Long-term business planning and target setting for 2020 and beyond will be completed during the second half of this year based on the new structure. The businesses and organization within each Business Area will be announced in the third quarter of 2019.

Hans Sohlström, President and CEO, comments: “The global Business Area and Business Unit structure is a strategic cornerstone and key success factor of our company. Decentralized end-to-end business responsibilities and local accountability drives good customer service, quality, innovation and profits as well as growth in the most effective way. The five Business Areas are defined and the Business Units grouped into Business Areas based on strategic targets, core capabilities and main characteristics of each business. This organizational change is a preplanned and natural next step in the integration of the acquired Expera Specialty Solutions to our Group.”

Changes in the Group Executive Management Team

Robyn Buss is appointed Executive Vice President of Business Area North America Specialty Solutions as of October 1, 2019. She is succeeding Russ Wanke, who retires end of September.

President and CEO Hans Sohlström says: “I thank Russ Wanke for his valuable contribution to ensure a smooth integration of Expera Specialty Solutions in to Ahlstrom-Munksjö and wish him all the best for his retirement. At the same time, I welcome Robyn Buss to our Group Executive Management Team. Her strong customer centric leadership, business skills and experience especially from North America bring valuable contribution to our Group Leadership Team.”

Daniele Borlatto is appointed Executive Vice President of Business Area Filtration and Performance as of June 7, 2019. He is currently Executive Vice President of Business Area Industrial Solutions. Daniele succeeds Fulvio Capussotti, who will take up new responsibilities outside Ahlstrom-Munksjö and leave the company at the same date.

Hans Sohlström says: “I thank Fulvio Capussotti for his valuable and successful contribution to our company and wish him success in his future career. Daniele Borlatto, who is an experienced leader and has been working for the company since 1990 is well placed to lead and develop Filtration and Performance further, as he has earlier, as Fulvio’s predecessor, built up and led this business.”

Dan Adrianzon is appointed Executive Vice President of Business Area Industrial Solutions as of June 7, 2019. He is currently Executive Vice President of People and Safety. Hans Sohlström continues: “Dan Adrianzon is well placed to lead Business Area Industrial Solutions, as he led successfully the Business Area Industrial Applications in Munksjö Group during the years 2013 – 2017, before taking over the leadership of the integration of Ahlstrom and Munksjö. As the integration has now been completed and the main synergies have been achieved, Dan is ready for his next important mission.”

Tarja Takko, currently Vice President, Talent and Development, Group HR and HR Business Partner, Filtration & Performance, is appointed acting Executive Vice President of People and Safety as of June 7, 2019. Hans Sohlström continues: “Our main success factor is our knowledgeable and engaged people, it is therefore of utmost importance to have solid succession. I’d like to welcome Tarja Takko to our Executive Management Team.

For further information, please contact:

Hans Sohlström, President and CEO, tel. +358 10 888 2520
Johan Lindh, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, + 358 10 888 4994

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Our mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable every day life. Our offering include filter materials, release liners, food and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials and solutions for diagnostics as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses. Our annual net sales is about EUR 3 billion and we employ some 8,000 people. The Ahlstrom-Munksjö share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and Stockholm.  

Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com.