Henkel names new electronics executive team

Tag : Electronics Material
Senior Vice-President Alan Syzdek, the electronics group of Henkelwill be organized on a global basis by industry sector. The abilityto coordinate efforts globally, yet offer local support andflexibility within each region, affords operational and supplychain efficiencies while providing visibility of customers' globalrequirements. For Henkel customers, the unified businesses nowdeliver the industry's most advanced, comprehensive productdevelopment and engineering expertise, unmatched global support andcombined resources that ensure a low-risk, high-value partnership.Drawing on the talents of both the Henkel and National Starchteams, the new leadership at Henkel is made up of the industry'smost knowledgeable and experienced electronics materials staff.

With over 18 years of materials development expertise, Dr. MichaelTodd will lead Henkel's global product development initiatives asVice-President of Product Development and Engineering. Some ofTodd's near-term priorities include aligning the organization's 13global product development sites, the integration of thecomplimentary technologies and products brought together throughthe acquisition, and leveraging the strengths of certain materialsto facilitate the widespread growth of synergistic product lines."The opportunities that this union presents areprofound," says Todd. "In addition to the obviousgeographic footprint and product portfolio expansion advantages,Henkel has also committed significant investment increases –by a factor of at least 5 over current levels -- for advancedmaterials development in the areas of new polymer technologies,applied nano-technology research and manufacturing and processinnovations. With many acquisitions you see a tightening of thebelt in this area but, with Henkel, quite the opposite is true,which enables our ability to anticipate technology requirementswell into the future and develop materials solutions today."

Former Ablestik General Manager, Andreas Mader, has been tapped tohead Henkel's semiconductor group where he will focus on supportingcustomers' transition to new technologies, ensuring superiortechnical support and managing investments in leading technologies.Having spent over 20 years of his career working with specialtymaterials– first at Dow Chemical and then with NationalStarch -- Mader brings unique perspective to his position and isenthused about the accelerated solution capabilities of the neworganization. "The scope of materials technology andcommercial products now available from Henkel is unmatched,"comments Mader. "With high performance die attach, moldcompound, underfill and solder materials, our ability to simplifycustomers' supply chains while simultaneously offering outstandingmaterial systems and solutions provides a competitive edge notavailable from any other materials company." For semiconductorpackaging, specifically, Mader envisions several breakthroughmaterials advances in the very near future which include furtherdevelopments and more widespread adoption of film die attachmaterials as well as enhanced capabilities of the company's WaferBackside Coating™ (WBC) materials technology.

To direct its electronics assembly business, Henkel has selectedformer Emerson & Cuming General Manager, Joe DeBiase. With over20 years of experience in electronic materials for the PCBfabrication and electronic assembly industries, DeBiase's extensivebackground and business management expertise position him well toensure Henkel's continued competence in the assembly materialssector. The integration of two very broad product portfolios noweffectively delivers total front-to-back solutions for customers'complete assembly materials requirements. "From world-classconductive adhesive technologies to market-leading solder materialsthrough to high-performance underfills and conformal coatings,Henkel can now offer technical solutions for any assemblyapplication from circuit and component assembly to circuitprotection, " states DeBiase. "The expanded capabilities,resources and industry presence of Henkel now position us as theelectronic materials company truly able to fully support the needsof the global electronics industry. As a low-risk supplier partner,our focus is to deliver enabling technologies with unparalleledfield technical service and support, thus ensuring that customeraccess to Henkel's technical solutions is simple andeffective."

Rounding out the customer-facing executive appointments is GlobalMarketing Director, Doug Dixon. Having spent his career at leadingelectronics equipment and materials companies, Dixon is a seasonedcommunications professional with broad-based brand strategy andglobal product marketing expertise. "One of the most exciting,yet most challenging parts of this new organization is prioritizingbrand and product rollout initiatives," says Dixon."Henkel has numerous established market-leading materials andjust as many, if not more, breakthrough products on the horizon,which makes the go-to-market strategy quite dynamic."

Management of the operational organization is the responsibility ofDr. Michael Reilly, former National Starch Vice-President of GlobalOperations. Reilly is confident the 13 years he's spent inelectronics and his previous experience in the pharmaceuticalsindustry gives him the insight and knowledge necessary to unite thetwo businesses into a world-class materials company that offerssupply-chain efficiency and a low-risk proposition to customers."Our driving force and top priority from an operational pointof view is to ensure the highest quality products with deliverythat is reliable and predictable," states Reilly emphatically."The combined resources of the new Henkel organization -- bothfrom a personnel and geographic production perspective – areuntouchable and will allow us to offer outstanding supply chainperformance."

Overseeing the development of the business through organic growth,strategic partnerships and acquisition opportunities is the role ofMr. ZhiWei Cai, former Henkel Global Vice-President of ProductManagement. "Aligning the business priorities with marketgrowth and developing products to address new applications andprocesses is central to Henkel's success," says Cai."Partnering with customers on cooperative technology roadmapefforts, joining with academic institutions to conduct research andanalysis projects and continuing our aggressive market intelligenceinitiatives will no doubt ensure Henkel's leading position in theelectronic materials industry."

Other key appointments to the leadership team include: Mr. LucGodefroid, who heads up the Project Management Office (PMO), withresponsibility for developing and integrating the business anddriving offensive synergies through best practices of both theHenkel and National Starch operations; and, Ms. Hilary Norris, wholeads the company's financial team.

"Without question, this group of talented individualsrepresents the best in the electronics materials sector,"concludes Alan Syzdek. "I have every confidence that thisdedicated team will lead our organization with experience,integrity, ingenuity and passion while maintaining the customer asour top priority."