Roeland Baan, who currently is the executive vice president and CEO of Aleris Europe and Asia, will take on his new duties 1 January 2016. Baan succeeds Mika Seitovirta, who has left the company, effective 26 October.  

In a statement, Jorma Ollila, Outokumpu’s board chairman, said the company has been undergoing a significant transformation, but still faces substantial challenges.

“The Outokumpu board of directors believes now is the right time to bring in new skills and strengths in order to raise the company’s operational competitiveness to a world-class level,” Ollila said.

“Roeland has extensive experience in process industries, particularly in the metals industry, and a solid commercial background in large, international companies. He has a proven track record of successful turnarounds, giving us confidence in his ability to accelerate the turnaround of Outokumpu and drive its future success.”

Before joining Aleris, which makes rolled aluminum products, Baan was the executive vice president and CEO of Mittal Steel Europe and, later, executive vice president of the combined ArcelorMittal Group. Prior to that, he held global senior management positions at Shell International and SHV.

“I am genuinely thrilled to be joining Outokumpu,” Baan said in a statement. “Stainless steel is a material of endless possibilities, and Outokumpu has all the key ingredients to outperform the industry, including world-class assets and highly skilled, dedicated people.

“Following a thorough analysis of the strategy, I intend to bring the company to its rightful leadership position through superior customer focus, industry-leading operational efficiency and flawless quality. I look forward to the challenge and feel privileged to have been asked, and tasked, to lead a company with such a rich and meaningful history.”

Outokumpu CFO Reinhard Florey will serve as interim CEO until Baan starts in his new role.