Ahlstrom Appoints New CFO and COO to Strengthen Leadership Team

Ahlstrom Appoints New CFO and COO to Strengthen Leadership Team

(IN BRIEF) Ahlstrom, a specialty materials company, has announced the appointment of Niklas Beyes as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Wolfgang Laures as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Both individuals will join Ahlstrom’s Executive Management Team, with Beyes assuming his role on September 15, 2023, and Laures on October 1, 2023. Niklas Beyes, known for his experience in leading finance organizations in industrial companies, aims to contribute to Ahlstrom’s sustainable growth journey. Wolfgang Laures, with a background in global supply chain and operations within the materials industry, will support the company’s continuous improvement efforts and growth transformation. Ahlstrom’s President and CEO, Helen Mets, expressed appreciation for the outgoing CFO, Jorn P. Jensen, and emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and global focus.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 13-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Ahlstrom appoints Niklas Beyes as Chief Financial Officer and Wolfgang Laures as Chief Operating Officer. Both will also become members of Ahlstrom’s Executive Management Team.

Niklas Beyes is appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and a member of Ahlstrom’s Executive Management Team as of September 15, 2023. Current CFO Jorn P. Jensen will leave Ahlstrom on September 15 to pursue new opportunities outside the company.

Niklas Beyes has extensive experience in leading finance organizations and transformations in industrial companies, including Brose Group, FTE automotive, and SKF. He has an exceptional track record of building financial capabilities in both private equity and corporate environment through inspirational leadership and by building strong and empowered teams.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to join Ahlstrom, as the company stands out for its strong commitment to sustainability, its diverse workforce, and global focus. I look forward to supporting Ahlstrom on its path towards sustainable profitable growth together with my team,” says Niklas Beyes.

“I’m happy to welcome Niklas to Ahlstrom. He brings with him broad experience that will help us to further strengthen our finance capabilities and support us on our transformation journey to become the leading sustainable specialty materials company,” says Helen Mets, President and CEO of Ahlstrom.

“I would like to thank Jorn for his contributions as CFO during his time at Ahlstrom. I wish him the best of luck for the future,” Helen Mets continues.

Wolfgang Laures is appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a member of Ahlstrom’s Executive Management Team as of October 1, 2023. Current COO Markus Westerkamp will continue within Ahlstrom as advisor to the President & CEO.

Wolfgang Laures has extensive experience in global supply chain and operations within the materials industry, including Avery Dennison, Perstorp Group, and most recently in Glatfelter. In addition to his background in supply chain and operations, he brings with him strong experience for example in driving growth and digitalization in different areas.

“Wolfgang has a strong background in leading operational excellence, global supply chain and safety, and he will support Ahlstrom’s plants and their leaders in our continuous improvement journey, supporting Ahlstrom on our growth transformation. Markus has done an outstanding job as COO in building the foundations of the function and the organization. His comprehensive and longstanding experience at Ahlstrom is an asset,” says Helen Mets.

“I am honored to join Ahlstrom, a company with a long, distinguished history of developing diversified, sustainable, market-leading specialty products. I want to thank Helen for her confidence in me, and I am very much looking forward to working with the Ahlstrom team to continue to live its values and strengthen its position as global leader in sustainable fiber-based specialty materials,” says Wolfgang Laures.

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our net sales in 2022 for continuing operations amounted to EUR 3.3 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com

Media Contact:

Investors:
Johan Lindh
Vice President
Investor Relations
+ 358 10 888 4994
johan.lindh@ahlstrom.com

Media: 
Katja Ollila
Vice President
Group Marketing and Communications
+358 44 517 0891
katja.ollila@ahlstrom.com

SOURCE: AHLSTROM