European Copper Institute names La Farga executive as president

Oriol Guixà, president and CEO of Spanish company La Farga, a manufacturer of semifinished copper products, has been appointed president of the Brussels-based European Copper Institute (ECI) for a period of two years. Guixà officially took his position as president at a ceremony held April 20, 2018, at the institute’s headquarters.

The ECI coordinates the copper industry in matters related to rules, regulations and market development programs, managing an annual budget of 10 million euros and employing a staff of 37.  

Guixà has more than 35 years’ experience in the copper sector. He’s approaching his presidency of the ECI as “an opportunity to contribute knowledge to a sector I'm passionate about, a chance to develop new programs while striving to improve regulatory aspects. I see it as a challenge, but at the same time as an honor and privilege. The ECI is a great institution that has always known how to position itself and contribute value to its members.”

Bernard Respaut, chief executive of the ECI, says, “It’s a great pleasure to work closely with Oriol Guixà, an experienced leader, in striving to ensure that the ECI is an expert, focused and flexible organization that actively supports the development of the copper industry in Europe. I’m particularly satisfied that our president comes from the manufacturing sector, a key link, together with the smelting and mining sectors, in the European chain dedicated to adding value to copper.”

The ECI was created in 1996. Its mission is to develop and defend the markets where copper is used, as well as to defend the added values that this metal contributes to the sustainable development of society. The ECI forms part of the Copper Alliance, which brings together the world’s copper industry.