Sims Metal appoints new global chief commercial officer

Rye, New York-based Sims Metal, a division of Sydney-based Sims Ltd., has appointed Robert Thompson as its global chief commercial officer. Thompson previously held the position of vice president, sales and marketing at Gerdau Long Steel North America, and he brings more than 30 years of commercial and operational metal recycling and steel experience to Sims Metal. He begins his new role July 11.

“Rob’s substantial experience at a global, well-respected organization in both the production and sale of steel and recycled metal makes him uniquely qualified to lead the commercial arm of our metal business division,” says Alistair Field, managing director and chief executive officer at Sims Ltd.

Thompson joined Gerdau North America as vice president and general manager of the Ameristeel Recycling business as part of an acquisition in 2004. He has since held several roles with increasing responsibilities in commercial, operations and logistics in Gerdau’s Metallics and Raw Materials divisions until his most recent position leading sales and marketing for Gerdau’s North American Long Steel business. Thompson and his family also spent several years in Brazil where he had responsibilities spanning Europe, Latin America and North America.

Prior to his tenure at Gerdau, Thompson spent 15 years at metal recycling companies, initially starting as a scale operator, then spending several years as a commercial trade buyer and ferrous products trader.

Sims Metal began its search for a new chief commercial officer after Michael Movsas announced his retirement in January of this year.

“I’ve had the pleasure of doing business with Sims Metal in the past, and I admired their commitment to being a leader and innovator in the metal industry,” says Thompson. “As I have learned more about the business and its strategy in recent weeks, I am more excited to be a part of this organization, which is made up of great people who are aligned and collaborate in their efforts to achieve the company goals, and ultimately the Sims purpose.”

At Sims Metal, Thompson will have global responsibility for shipping and chartering, as well as ferrous and nonferrous material buying and processed material sales. In addition to holding this principal commercial role, he will be an integral member of Sims Ltd.’s executive leadership team and his extensive management experience and perspective will allow him to immediately contribute toward achieving the company’s strategic goals.

Thompson received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Toronto.