05/10/2006

Brenntag names Clark new Chief Executive

Brenntag, global leader in the growing market for chemical distribution, today announced that Stephen R. Clark, current head of its North America unit, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company effective June 1, 2006.

 

Clark, 55, has been President & Chief Executive Officer of Brenntag North America, Inc. since 1990. He joined the company in 1981, and has served in positions of increasing responsibility, including as President of two of the company’s North American operating units and as Brenntag North America’s Chief Financial Officer. Clark’s earlier experience includes several positions at the former Touche Ross & Co.

 

“We conducted a thorough search for a new Chief Executive to lead Brenntag’s continued growth, and found that the best qualified candidate was one of the members of our talented senior management team,” the Supervisory Board said. “Steve Clark is an accomplished executive who, together with his management team, has overseen an eight-fold increase in our North American business. As a Group Executive Management Team member, he also knows our global business well and has made important contributions throughout our worldwide organization. Steve will be a very effective leader of Brenntag.” Brenntag launched the search in response to the announcement that its current Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Klaus Engel, had been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Degussa AG.

 

“Brenntag is fortunate to have a very capable Executive Management team, and a group of dedicated employees,” Clark said. “I am honored to have been selected to lead this global organization as we continue to execute our growth plans, and focus on providing quality products and value-added service to our suppliers and customers.”

 

In fiscal 2005, Brenntag succeeded again in underpinning it’s position as a globally leading chemical distributor. The company recorded external sales of EUR 5.3 billion (US$ 6.6 billion). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA operating) totalled EUR 301 million (US$ 374 million). Brenntag operates more than 300 locations with 9,200 people in 50 countries. Underlying the company’s strong position in world markets, Brenntag is committed to providing value to its customers and suppliers through superior supply chain logistics, single sourcing and value-added-services. To its suppliers and customers alike, Brenntag offers, both in Europe and the Americas, an unrivalled, extensive and state-of-the-art distribution network for industrial and specialty chemicals.