People in the news: Concert announces appointments

Airlaid specialist Concert Industries, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has named Rolf Hovelmann president, COO Europe and director of Concert Industries, effective January 15. Mr. Hovelmann most recently served as general manager of Concert's German subsidiary, Concert GmbH, Falkenhagen, Germany. Since joining Concert in November 1996, Mr. Hovelmann was one of two general managers involved in the start-up of the German subsidiary.

Mr. Hovelmann will continue his overall responsibilities in Europe in his capacity as chief operating officer, Europe, and the specific responsibility for Concert's new subsidiary Concert Europe GmbH. The daily operations within Concert GmbH will be assumed by Torsten Gartner and Christof Bruhn. Mr. Gartner will assume the position as general manager of Concert GmbH, responsible for operations. Mr. Gartner joined Concert GmbH in June 1995 as its first employee and was involved in the early stages of the planning process for the German operation and subsequently responsible for the erection and start-up of both airlaid machines in Falkenhagen, Germany. Since 1997, Mr. Gartner has as served plant manager responsible for the production at Concert GmbH. Dr. Bruhn will assume the position of general manager of Concert GmbH, responsible for sales and marketing for Europe and administration. Dr. Bruhn recently served as director of sales and marketing for Concert's European operations. Prior to joining Concert, Dr. Bruhn held senior management positions in sales and product development with a leading international manufacturer of super-absorbent materials.

Concert has also reached an agreement with Walter Gain whereby he will postpone his retirement beyond June 2002. Mr. Gain joined CGH in January 1998 and for three years was one of the its two general managers.

Additionally, Patrick Hamner has been named to the board of Concert Industries, replacing Howard Thomas who recently passed away. Mr. Hamner is vice president of Capital Southwest Corporation, a well-established Dallas, TX-based venture capital firm.

Buckeye Technologies. Memphis TN, a leading manufacturer of specialty cellulose and absorbent products, has made two appointments. Marko Rajamaa was named vice president of nonwovens sales for Europe and the Middle East and will have responsibility for the marketing and sales of all nonwoven products in these regions. Mr. Rajamaa has 14 years of nonwovens experience in the U.S. and Europe.

Frederick Ring has been appointed vice president of purchasing and logistics. Mr. Ring has 20 years experience in supply chain management.

Hygiene producer Svenska Cellulosa Aktieholaget (SCA), Stockholm, Sweden, has made two recent appointments. Jan Astrom has been appointed president and CEO, replacing Sverker Martin-Lof who is leaving his position in April 2002. Mr. Astrom has previously held various management positions with wholly or partly-owned companies of SCA since 1993. Mr. Martin-Lof will take over as chairman of SCA, replacing Bo Rydin. Mr. Rydin, who has been a member of the SCA board since 1972, has been appointed honorary chairman.

Ahlstrom, FiberComposites. Windsor Locks, CT, has made two recent personnel appointments. William Paton has been appointed to vice president of operations at the company's Windsor Locks plant. Since joining the company in 1972, Mr Paton has held several management positions, including vice president of manufacturing operations in Europe.

Additionally, Paul Marold has been promoted to vice president and general manager of the company's medical nonwoven product line. In addition to his new medical responsibility, Mr. Marold will continue his current position as director of sales in the U.S.

Rayonier, Jacksonville, FL, a leading supplier of specialty cellulose, has made several personnel changes. Paul Boynton has been promoted to vice president of performance fibers and will be responsible for the company's high performance specialty cellulose business. He replaced William Kindler, who has elected to retire. Mr. Boynton was previously vice president of performance fibers marketing and sales and will now be responsible for all aspects of the performance fibers business, including manufacturing, research and development, marketing and sales, transportation and distribution as well as information technology. Mr. Boynton joined Rayonier in 1999 as director of specialty pulp marketing and sales.

Additionally, Hans Vanden Noort was appointed vice president and corporate controller. Mr. Vanden Noort will be responsible for all headquarters and business unit controller activity, including financial accounting, reporting, planning and analysis as well as setting accounting policies and procedures.

FiberMark, Battleboro, VT, a leading producer of specialty fiber-based materials has appointed Duncan Middleton as president. Mr. Middleton will be responsible for leading FiberMark's five divisions. Previously, Mr. Middleton served as vice president for Ahisfrom FiberComposites, Windsor Locks, CT, and has held various roles in the nonwovens business, formerly known as Dexter.