US-based Glatfelter Corporation, a leading global supplier of engineered materials, has appointed Boris Illetschko to the role of senior vice president (VP), chief operating officer (COO). He replaces the company’s current senior VP, chief commercial officer, Christopher W Astley, and senior VP, integrated global supply chain and IT, Wolfgang Laures, both of whom will leave the company effective immediately.

Most recently, Illetschko served as global group chief commercial officer and group managing director for Voestalpine Rotec GmbH, Krieglach, Austria, where he was responsible for ten production facilities located in North America, Europe, and China. Prior to this role, he worked as an independent industry consultant from 2017 to 2019, Glatfelter said in a press release.

From 2011 to 2017, Illetschko worked for Semperit AG Holding, Austria where he was responsible for various roles including corporate development and mergers and acquisitions, as well as general manager for a global business segment with production sites in Europe, India, and China.

Illetschko is an Austrian citizen and holds several degrees, including a master of business administration from the University of Toronto, Canada and advanced management degrees from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), UK, as well as the Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.

Illetschko will join Glatfelter after completing his legally required notice period with his current employer, which will conclude no later than October 1, 2023. During this interim period, Fahnemann will provide direct leadership to the management who will report to Illetschko upon his arrival, added the release.

“Since joining Glatfelter, I have assessed the leadership skills and capabilities that are essential to driving Glatfelter’s financial performance improvement, which led me to consolidate the company’s commercial and supply chain leadership into a single, integrated chief operating role. I am delighted that Boris Illetschko will be serving in this capacity given his previous experience leading multi-national commercial and supply chain functions throughout Europe, North America, and Asia,” said Thomas M Fahnemann, president and chief executive officer.