PEOPLE WATCH
New Board Chair for IAI |
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The International Aluminium Institute ( IAI ) announced the appointment of Ali Baqali as its new Chair in May . He is the CEO of Aluminium Bahrain BSC ( Alba ), one of the world ’ s largest aluminium smelters . He succeeds Satish Pai , the managing director of Hindalco Industries , who will be a Vice-Chair .
Miles Prosser , Secretary General of IAI , commented : “ Ali
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Ali Baqali . |
products by raising awareness of their unique and valuable properties .
“ I am incredibly humbled to take on the leadership of the IAI at this critical juncture . We face many challenges within the industry , particularly climate change , and I am committed to guiding the IAI towards a sustainable future ,” said Ali Bagali . “ The aluminium sector
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is an exceptional leader who has been at the forefront of the sustainability transformation of Alba . He has been an active member of the IAI Board and will be an excellent Chair , and I very much look forward to working with him . With his proven track record of innovation and drive for a global sustainable industry , we are confident in his ability to steer our industry towards unprecedented growth and sustainability .
“ I would also like to thank Satish for his vision , support and leadership . He has made a very important contribution not only to the development of this association but to the entire industry . On behalf of the members and staff , I ’ d like to thank him for his service and look forward to his continued contribution to our work .”
The IAI ’ s purpose is to promote the sustainable development of the aluminium industry and increase demand for aluminium
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is undergoing a seismic shift , and we are no longer bystanders but active participants in building a sustainable future . Our future will be driven by action , not just awareness , and together we are actively making significant strides from championing aggressive recycling initiatives to spearheading groundbreaking decarbonisation programmes ,” he continued .
The IAI also announced that John Thuestad ( Hydro ); Luciano Alves ( CBA ); Tolga Egrilmezer ( Rio Tinto ); John Slaven ( Vedanta ); Abdulnasser Bin Kalban ( EGA ); Shuichi Asakuno ( Nippon Light Metal ) and Xiangdong Duan ( Chinalco ) have been appointed Vice- Chairs . IAI members are engaged in the production of bauxite , alumina , aluminium , the recycling of aluminium or the fabrication of aluminium in all major producing regions . n www . internationalaluminium . org
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Schuler comes under new management
Martin Drasch will become CEO of stamping specialist , Schuler AG . The CEO of Reutlingenbased mechanical engineering company , Manz AG , will take up his new position by 1 October 2024 .
“ We are very pleased to be able to fill this important position within the ANDRITZ Group ,” said President and CEO , Dr . Joachim Schönbeck .
“ The market situation in the automotive and supplier industry is currently quite challenging . We are therefore fortunate to have found a successor in Martin Drasch , who has extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry
Martin Drasch . as well as in-depth industry expertise in the future topics of electromobility and battery production . I am convinced that he will set the right course for Schuler ,” he continued .
Martin Drasch has been CEO of Manz AG , which employs around 1,400 people , since 2018 . Drasch built up the Mobility & Battery Solutions division at Manz AG and liaised with companies Dürr and Grob on the “ turnkey battery factory ”. The mechanical engineering graduate previously worked as Chief Operating Officer ( COO ) at Manz and in various management positions at Eisenmann . n
Mike Hawes receives OBE
Mike Hawes , the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT ) in the UK , has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( OBE ) for services to the automotive industry in the King ’ s Birthday Honours List .
Mike joined SMMT as chief executive in 2013 , after several years in the automotive sector in the UK and overseas . He was charged with leading the UK industry ’ s engagement with governments , stakeholders and the media internationally .
“ Over more than a decade , Mike has led the industry through a period of technological , structural and geopolitical change , working tirelessly to ensure the UK sector ’ s global competitiveness and reputation are enhanced . Many of the issues that have beset the sector during his tenure have required consensus building among the SMMT ’ s diverse membership , something he has done with tact and respect ,” said the SMMT .
“ From the Brexit trade negotiations , in which he was relentless in advocating a deal for automotive , to COVID-19 and the subsequent global supply chain shortages , the energy crisis and the unprecedented technological transformation to net zero , he has sought to safeguard jobs and businesses , promote the environmental benefits of new vehicle technology and help secure millions of pounds of inward investment ,” it added .
One of the greatest challenges facing the sector is the need to attract new talent . Mike was an influential advocate in the creation and work of Mission Automotive , which places ex-service personnel in jobs across the sector , signed SMMT to the Armed Forces Covenant and saw the organisation receive a Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme .
Mike also plays a pivotal role in the Automotive Council — a partnership formed in 2009 to foster collaboration between government and the automotive industry . As a main Board Member and Chair of the UK Competitiveness and Business Environment working group , he has driven work to enhance the UK ’ s appeal and delivered the UK ’ s first Automotive Diversity Charter , which counts every major UK-based automotive manufacturer as a signatory .
Mike joined SMMT from Bentley Motors , where he held director positions with responsibility for global communications , government affairs and corporate social responsibility . Before that , he held senior government and corporate affairs positions at Toyota , in the UK and Europe . n
www . smmt . co . uk
Mike Hawes ( OBE ).
14 | ismr . net | ISMR September 2024