Sappi Europe promotes Thomas Kratochwill

Austrian-born financial and corporate strategist Kratochwill took up the role at the beginning of 2015. Kratochwill joined Sappi in 1995 in the finance department, and soon became involved in financial systems and process optimization methods, where he managed several system migration projects as a result of business expansion.

In 2010, he succeeded Alex Thiel as project director, and in this role successfully led and implemented significant transformation initiatives for the group.

Sappi Europe said Kratochwill is known for his pursuit of efficiency and his very structured approach to achieving objectives on time.

Kratochwill will continue to expand the Speciality Papers division at Sappi Europe and further strengthen its position as a leading competence center for speciality papers and boards.

Asquino is retiring after a 38-year career at Sappi Europe. Since 2001, she has played a major part in the growth of Sappi Speciality Papers. Her deep trade knowledge and many years of experience, as well as her ability to develop and nurture strong partnerships, was valued by the Sappi team and its clients. Asquino will be available until the end of July 2015 as an advisor on strategic issues.

Berry Wiersum, chief executive officer at Sappi Europe, said: ‘We thank Rosemarie Asquino for her outstanding work. She has revolutionized the Speciality Papers division at Sappi Europe. Recently she was critical in designing and implementing the 60 million EUR expansion of PM2.

‘As we move into the future, we will be placing our full trust in her successor Thomas Kratochwill. With his natural vigour and expertise, he will take the Speciality Papers division at Sappi Europe to a new level and implement the agreed-upon strategy in full.’

Kratochwill said: ‘My personal motto is “first listen, understand the customer and then implement together”.

‘In this way, we can be an approachable and innovative partner in the tailor-made customer solutions sector, providing top quality and the highest service level.

‘Packaging manufacturers, brand owners, designers and print finishers are set to profit even more intensively from the fact that Sappi Europe is more than just a packaging material manufacturer.’