Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has appointed Laurent Schmitt as the company's new chief executive. He succeeds Ahmed Al Noami, who retired last month.

Alba's chairman of the Board of Directors, Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji announced this decision after a board meeting on Sunday night.

"Laurent Schmitt has become a veteran in the industry, and has been instrumental in implementing many successful projects that required strategic thinking and efficient execution," he said.

"As Alba is making new strides following the right sizing of its organisational structure, it is these kind of values, fresh approach and innovative ideas that will help Alba to meet the challenges that are facing the aluminium industry, and strengthen the company's reputation as one of the world's leading aluminium smelters," he remarked.

Schmitt was previously president of Rhodia Polyamide a world wide global business of Rhodia Group based in France, and has been with this Group in three different senior management positions since 2001.

Before, he has been working with Pechiney Group for 15 years where he was given various responsibilities developing new businesses as well as strengthening current operations.

Alba has been consistently ranked as one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world and is known for its technological strength and innovative policies.

It has maintained a high track record for safety and continues to enforce strict environmental guidelines and has surpassed production targets set for the year.

The company supports numerous community oriented programmes and social activities that have underlined its status as one of Bahrain's leading industrial organisations that remains fully committed to its corporate social responsibility.-TradeArabia News Service