Metso names new president and CEO

Finland-based Metso has appointed Nico Delvaux as its next president and CEO.

He replaces Matti Kähkönen who has held the role for the past six years during a long career with the company.

Currently senior executive vice president for Atlas Copco and business area president for Compressor Technique, the Belgian is expected to join the €2.6 billion (US$2.84 billion) turnover business by the start of November.

In doing so he will end an association with Atlas Copco dating back to 1991, during which he has worked in Europe, North America and China.

“I know Metso as a company and highly respect its brand and achievements,” said Nico.

“I really look forward to joining Metso and working together with its people all over the world, as well as to moving to Finland.“

Mikael Lilius, chairman of Metso’s board of directors, added: “This nomination is part of our successor planning and the timing is good for us to progress into the next development phase.

“I am convinced that Nico Delvaux is the right person to further accelerate value creation for Metso’s customers and shareholders, thanks to his broad international experience, leadership skills and a proven track record in developing leading businesses.

“”Matti Kähkönen has been president and CEO since March 2011, and he has led significant changes under difficult market conditions.

“We want to thank Matti for his very good work for the benefit of Metso and its shareholders during the past nearly 40 years. We have also agreed that he will act as a senior advisor to the board until his retirement.”

Metso’s products range from aggregates processing equipment to industrial controls. It employs over 11,000 people in more than 50 countries.