At today’s meeting the Supervisory Board of RHI AG decided unanimously to extend the Board of Management from three to four members as of January 2007. CEO Dr. Helmut Draxler will leave the Board of Management of RHI AG at his own request when his existing contract expires in January 2007. He declined the offered contract extension for personal reasons.
Dr. Andreas Meier, currently deputy CEO, was appointed Dr. Draxler’s successor. Responsible for the global refractories activities of the RHI Group, Dr. Meier played a decisive role in the successful path of RHI Refractories to become world market leader.
Dr. Eduard Zehetner will remain Chief Financial Officer with extended responsibilities.
His contract was renewed in 2005, and he was appointed deputy CEO as of January 1, 2007.
The RHI Group will in the future continue to expand as a company solely focused on refractories and enhance its leading position in the world market after the sale of the Heraklith division.
Dr. Giorgio Cappelli and Dr. Manfred Hödl, both successful managers in the RHI Group for many years, were appointed deputy board members with effect from January 1, 2007 to enforce customer and market development.
Dr. Cappelli will be responsible for the customer segment steel worldwide, Dr. Hödl for the industrial segment, which comprises the customer industries cement, lime, glass, nonferrous metals, energy and environmental technology.
Following the sale of the Heraklith division, the RHI Group will make forceful use of the gained financial scope and expand the world-wide refractories business. There are good chances in the raw material and business area to achieve sustained success in RHI Refractories´ market position and earnings strength within the next years.