NLMK Group (LSE:NLMK), an international steel producer with operations in Russia, the EU and the USA has extended the Management Board of NLMK International B.V., a holding company for NLMK’s international assets. The number of Board members has been increased to five with the appointment of Mr. Cornelius Louwrens to the newly introduced position of Director of Operational Efficiency.

Mr. Louwrens has over 20 years’ experience in senior positions in some of the world’s leading steel companies. In his new role he will be involved in global operational efficiency projects at NLMK facilities across the USA and the EU; and will also participate in the transfer of best available operational efficiency practices between NLMK Group’s operations across the globe.

The makeup of the NLMK International Management Board is now as follows:

• Mr. Ben de Vos, Chairman, Member of NLMK Group Management Board
• Ms. Maria Starostina, International Legal Counsel
• Mr. Igor Sarkits, Head of NLMK Europe Plate
• Mr. Bob Miller, Head of NLMK USA
• Mr. Cornelius Louwrens, Operational Efficiency Director

This strengthening of the management team of NLMK international divisions will increase the rate of their development and provide support for the transfer of best practices and technologies between NLMK Group’s Russian and international operations.

Mr. Cornelius Louwrens graduated with a B.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering) degree from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) in 1990. He holds degrees from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa (2000) and Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University, USA (2007).

In 2011 – 2015 Mr. Louwrens served as Operations Director and later as Business Director and COO in Sahaviriya Steel Industries, UK (SSI UK). From 2008 to 2011, he worked as Operations Director at Teesside Cast Products (TCP) and later on in a similar capacity in Long Products division of Tata Steel Europe. He held various management positions in ArcelorMittal South Africa, Saldanha Steel, and Iscor.