Norican Global A/S (“Norican Group”), a majority-owned portfolio company of the private equity fund Altor Fund IV (“Altor”), is pleased to announce the hiring of a new President & CEO. Mr. Anders Wilhjelm will join the Norican Group on Monday April 1, 2019, reporting to Mr. Jean-Marc Lechêne, the Chairman of the Board. This news comes after the company was informed yesterday by Robert E. Joyce, Jr of his intent to resign his duties as President & CEO, and as a director on the Norican Group’s board, effective Sunday March 31, 2019.
“After seventeen years of leading this great organization and having just recorded record revenue and EBITDA performance in 2018, the time is right for Norican to pursue its next phase of strategic leadership”, commented Mr. Joyce. “While I am proud of what our team has accomplished since 2002, the time has come for a fresh approach to Norican’s journey. In discussions over the past few months with Norican Group’s Chairman, Mr. Jean-Marc Lechêne, and with Altor’s lead partner Mr. Søren Johansen, we agreed that it was the proper time for the team to implement a transition of leadership. Accordingly, I will be resigning my responsibilities as a Board Director, President and CEO this coming Sunday, while remaining a significant shareholder through the balance of Altor’s investment period.”
Mr. Joyce closed with this observation, “It has been my great privilege to work with such a dedicated and professional team over the course of my career. I ask that they continue to show the same level of dedication and professionalism to my successor.”
“It is with a lot of emotion that we say goodbye to Rob today”, said Mr. Lechêne. “During his long tenure, he has established Norican as a worldwide leader in parts formation and parts preparation while building a great team. Rob can take legitimate pride in what he has achieved! And, on behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I wish him every success and satisfaction in this new chapter of his life that is opening.”
Anders Wilhjelm brings to Norican Group a breadth of line management operational expertise and relevant board experience. After starting his career in Carlsberg A/S and McKinsey & Co., Anders spent ten years in a series of escalating international leadership roles within Danisco A/S ending as Executive Vice President. After Danisco, Anders spent the next six years as President & CEO of GEA Process Engineering, a global project business of close to €2 billion in revenue. His most recent leadership role was as Group CEO of Solar A/S. Augmenting his operational experience, Anders also brings relevant board experience to the Group, including current board positions in Biomar A/S, DAT-Schaub A/S, Tresu Group A/S and BIMobject AB (Chairman).
“We are pleased to welcome Anders as the new President and CEO of Norican Group. To be able to attract an executive of his caliber, experience and intellect is yet another milestone in Norican’s journey,” says Jean-Marc Lechêne. “We look forward to working with him on the next phase of our strategic evolution.”
“I am very excited about joining the Norican team,” says Anders Wilhjelm. “Norican is a strong combination of knowledgeable people, great technologies, a global business, and an owner team I already enjoy working with.”
