Metso Announces Changes to Executive Team

Metso’s board of directors has announced significant changes to its executive team. The appointments will become effective on March 1, 2011, when Matti Kähkönen starts as Metso’s president and CEO. Kähkönen is succeeding Jorma Eloranta, Metso’s president and CEO, who is retiring.

The new executive team includes the following:
•    Andrew Benko has been appointed president, Mining and Construction Technology. He is currently president, Equipment and Systems business line, Mining and Construction Technology.
•    Perttu Louhiluoto has been appointed president, Energy and Environmental Technology. Louhiluoto is currently senior vice president, EMEA market area, Mining and Construction Technology.
•    Pasi Laine has been appointed president, Paper and Fiber Technology, and Metso’s executive vice president and deputy to the CEO. Laine is currently president, Energy and Environmental Technology.
•    Harri Nikunen has been appointed Metso Group’s CFO. Nikunen is currently senior vice president, Finance, Paper and Fiber Technology.
•    Merja Kamppari, senior vice president, Human Resources, Metso Group, has been appointed as a member of Metso executive team.
•    Kalle Reponen, senior vice president, Strategy and M&A, will continue as a member of the Metso executive team.
•    Olli Vaartimo, Metso’s current CFO; and Bertel Langenskiöld, current president of Paper and Fiber Technology, have agreed to support the changes in Metso’s top management during the transition period. Both Vaartimo and Langenskiöld will step down from the Metso executive team on March 1, 2011.

“Metso has now put together a new and competent executive team consisting of seasoned experts from different sectors who have a solid track record of success. It is a pleasure and an honor to work with them to achieve Metso’s goals. Our strategy is on a strong foundation and the prerequisites for leading the company in a successful manner are excellent,” says Kähkönen.