New organizational structure to strengthen Bayer MaterialScience business
Business Unit Heads to become members of Executive Committee
Bayer MaterialScience is to redefine its organizational structure effective March 1, 2007. The Board of Management of Bayer AG has decided to consolidate strategic and operational management of the subgroup in an Executive Committee comprising the four members of the current Board and the Business Unit Heads. "This move will sharpen the business focus of the management body and, at the same time, create a leaner hierarchy with shorter decision-making channels," explained Werner Wenning, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG. He went on to say that the primary goal is to further strengthen and expand the subgroup's leadership position in the performance materials market.
As members of the Executive Committee, the Business Unit Heads will be given a greater share of responsibility for the company's business. The Chief Executive Officer of Bayer MaterialScience, Patrick Thomas, will focus primarily on strategic issues and positioning the subgroup in the global market. The strategic functions 'Corporate Development', 'Human Resources' and 'Communications' will report directly to Mr. Thomas.
The area of responsibility of Board member Dr. Tony Van Osselaer, until now 'Production & Technology', will be enhanced and renamed 'Industrial Operations' effective March 1, 2007. The additional functions reporting to him will include what is currently the Inorganic Basic Chemicals Business Unit, together with 'Procurement', 'Health, Safety, Environment, Quality', and 'Corporate Energy Policy & Reporting', the latter being a Bayer Group function. The business units will retain direct responsibility for production. In addition to his duties as Head of Industrial Operations, Van Osselaer will also assume the role of Labor Director at Bayer MaterialScience AG.
Ian Paterson will remain responsible for the Board function 'Marketing & Innovation'. Prof. Dr. Gottfried Plumpe, currently Chief Administration Officer (CAO) and Labor Director at Bayer MaterialScience, is leaving the company by mutual agreement after many years of valuable service. His successor will be appointed at a later date.
Other news from the department people
