GKN Powder Metallurgy names Jean-Marc Durbuis as new Chief Executive Officer
March 13, 2024
Dowlais Group plc has announced Jean-Marc Durbuis as the new Chief Executive Officer of GKN Powder Metallurgy. Durbuis joined the company on March 12, following the departure of Diego Laurent who served GKN for thirty-one years.
GKN Powder Metallurgy is a leading provider of powder metal materials, components, applications, and electrification solutions through its three business units GKN Powders/Hoeganaes, GKN Sinter Metals and GKN Additive. In addition to GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dowlais Group is also the parent company of GKN Automotive and GKN Hydrogen.
“I want to thank Diego for his thirty-one years at GKN. He has achieved so much during this time at both GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Automotive. I am particularly grateful for all he has done to maintain GKN Powder Metallurgy’s position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of powder metal materials and sintered metal components,” stated Liam Butterworth, CEO of Dowlais Group Plc
Durbuis is expected to bring extensive commercial, operational and leadership experience to GKN Powder Metallurgy as it positions itself for the transition to electric vehicles. Over the last twenty years, Durbuis has held several senior executive positions in the chemical sector, leading global teams in complex and demanding businesses. He has a proven track record across all operational functions and has been a member of several executive committees and boards.
Durbuis joins GKN Powder Metallurgy from Allnex, a global supplier of resins and additives to the coating and inks industry. He was the Executive Vice President of one of the Allnex’s global divisions with revenues of over €1 billion and was a member of the Allnex Executive Committee and Board of Directors. His achievements at Allnex include delivering improvements in his division’s financial and operational performance, and the delivery of significant M&A projects in different geographies.
“Given the critical role GKN Powder Metallurgy plays in solving complex challenges in the automotive and industrial markets, and the very exciting opportunities ahead for the business, I am delighted that Jean-Marc will join us as the new CEO,” Butterworth added. ”He brings a wealth of experience that will enable the Powder Metallurgy team to capture the significant opportunities before it.”
Durbuis shared, “I am delighted to be joining GKN Powder Metallurgy as its new CEO. It is a world class business and will play a vital role in introducing new products to market, as we navigate the transition to EVs. I look forward to working with the team and meeting my new colleagues across the globe.”
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