Archroma names van de Kerkhof as new chief executive

Colour and specialty chemicals specialist Archroma has appointed Heike van de Kerkhof to succeed Alexander Wessels as its chief executive.

Colour and specialty chemicals specialist Archroma has appointed Heike van de Kerkhof to succeed Alexander Wessels as its chief executive.
 
Due to begin her new role on January 6, van de Kerkhof will join Archroma from Castrol, the branded lubricant division of BP, where she served as vice president, Western Hemisphere.
 
Prior to her time with BP, van de Kerkhof held a number of business leadership, commercial and operations roles at DuPont and The Chemours Company in a career spanning almost 30 years.
 
Speaking to FESPA.com about her new position with Archroma, van de Kerkhof said that she is excited by the opportunity to lead the company and continue its strategy to pursue profitable growth.
 
“Archroma is a young company – but with a solid foundation based on more than 120 years experience of developing innovative specialty chemicals,” van de Kerkhof said.
 
“Despite its short history, at least under the Archroma name, the company has managed the tour-de-force to become a go-to partner for its customers worldwide, helping them create desirable, sustainable and cost-efficient products as diverse as food packaging, denim, sportswear, paints or wood coatings.
 
“The fact that leading brands such as Patagonia, G-Star and Kathmandu are publicly endorsing their use of Archroma EarthColors or Advanced Denim technologies is rather new in the fashion industry. I see this as a tribute to the fact that Archroma is helping to advance science and sustainability forward into its application markets.”
 
Focusing on her key goals and targets for Archroma, van de Kerkhof said that she will continue to apply the same strategy as her predecessor in terms of driving the company towards profitable growth.
 
“Our strategy is to grow organically and through selected acquisitions,” van de Kerkhof said. “In particular, we will continue to invest in developing innovations and systems aimed at helping brands and manufacturers optimise productivity and create value in their markets, along the principles we defined for ourselves as “The Archroma Way: Safe, Efficient, Enhanced. Because it’s our nature.”
 
In a statement, outgoing chief executive Wessels said he felt privileged to have been able to work with SK Capital and the Archroma team over the past six-and-a-half years, backing van de Kerkhof to continue to drive growth at the company.
 
Wessels said: “We are coming off another record year in terms of profitability and the business is uniquely positioned to capitalise on its significant momentum moving forward.
 
“For me personally, this is the ideal moment to take on my next challenge and in Heike we have found the ideal person to pass the baton to. We look forward to a seamless transition and I am excited to continue to support the company as a member of the board of directors.”