Luxembourg, 27 February 2013 – ArcelorMittal today announces that it has appointed Henri Blaffart as executive vice president and head of human resources (HR), effective 1 April 2013. He replaces Willie Smit, who leaves the company to pursue other opportunities. Mr Blaffart will also become a member of the company’s management committee.
Mr Blaffart, a highly experienced steel industry executive, is currently head of HR for the company’s Flat Carbon Europe segment and a member of the segment management committee, a position he took up in April 2010.
Previously he was chief executive officer (CEO) of ArcelorMittal Lorraine in France, having first been head of primary for the same operation. Mr Blaffart joined the group in 1982 as strategy and research and development (R&D) director in Liege. He has held a number of other positions in the company including R&D director for construction and CEO of the former Arcelor’s research division. Mr Blaffart is a civil engineer from the University of Liege, Belgium and holds a masters degree in general management from the Ecole D’entreprise pour le Perfectionnement au Management in Belgium.
Mr Blaffart will report to the company’s chairman and chief executive, Lakshmi Mittal.
Mr Mittal said:
“HR is an important and strategic function and Henri’s experience made him a prime candidate for the role. He is a highly experienced professional with in-depth knowledge of both HR and operations that are very relevant for an industrial company such as ArcelorMittal and I look forward to working with him.”
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading integrated steel and mining company, with a presence in more than 60 countries.
ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning four continents, the Company covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature.
Through its core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal commits to operating in a responsible way with respect to the health, safety and well-being of its employees, contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also committed to the sustainable management of the environment. It takes a leading role in the industry’s efforts to develop breakthrough steelmaking technologies and is actively researching and developing steel-based technologies and solutions that contribute to combat climate change.
In 2012, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $84.2 billion and crude steel production of 88.2million tonnes, representing approximately 6 percent of world steel output.
ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).
For more information about ArcelorMittal please visit: www.arcelormittal.com.