Personnel Notes

Igneo Technologies announces chief strategy officer

Igneo Technologies LLC, a White Plains, New York-based global recycling company that transforms low-grade electronic scrap into high-grade, sustainable copper concentrate, has appointed industry veteran Lars Radowitz as its chief strategy officer. Radowitz previously worked for more than 20 years at Aurubis, a large copper producer headquartered in Germany.

Photo courtesy of Igneo
Technologies LLC

“I am honored and excited to help carry out Igneo’s vision for the future,” Radowitz says. “Igneo provides a unique value proposition for their suppliers and customers while at the same time operating a truly sustainable solution to e-waste.” 

In his previous role as vice president of raw materials recycling at Aurubis, Radowitz focused on purchasing raw material feed for recycling as well as the company’s global market strategy.

“Lars’ extensive industry experience is a tremendous asset to Igneo,” the company’s President and CEO Danish Mir says. “His knowledge will help propel the business forward as we grow our footprint in Europe, the United States and beyond.”

Igneo operates a metal recovery plant in Isbergues, France, with an infeed capacity of 30,000 metric tons per year. The company is constructing a second plant in Savannah, Georgia, that is expected to process 90,000 metric tons per year once it is online in early 2024.

New Way Trucks announces leadership changes

Photo courtesy of McLaughlin Family Cos.

McLaughlin Family Cos., the parent company of Scranton, Iowa-based New Way Trucks, has announced leadership changes at the firm, which manufactures refuse equipment in North America.

“We are in the middle of a five-year plan of capital investment in facility infrastructure and machine technology to respond to significant sales growth in the solid waste markets we serve,” CEO Mike McLaughlin says. He adds that the company’s expanded leadership team is “focused on executing our plan to meet our customers’ needs that include designing, producing and supporting the highest quality refuse and recycling equipment available.” 

Johnathon McLaughlin, a third-generation family member behind founder John McLaughlin and CEO Mike McLaughlin, is being promoted to chief manufacturing officer of New Way Trucks and K-PAC Compactor.

In this new role, the younger McLaughlin will be responsible for manufacturing operations in Scranton and in Booneville, Mississippi, as well as for coordinating with joint venture manufacturers in Canada, Mexico and Australia. He will be “especially focused on standardizing manufacturing practices and streamlining manufacturing workflow to increase efficiency, reduce lead times and improve quality,” the company says.

Johnathan McLaughlin most recently held the position of executive vice president and has more than 15 years of experience in production, sales and product development.

Don Ross, a 35-year solid waste industry veteran, also is being promoted. Ross moves from vice president of sales and marketing to chief sales officer, responsible for leading and managing the company’s sales and marketing efforts.

New Way credits Ross for having broad industry experience that includes collection and postcollection oversight, consultancy, equipment manufacturing and distribution, as well as multiple association volunteer roles. Ross currently serves as chair of the Arlington, Virginia-based National Waste & Recycling Association.

The company also has hired Eric Evans as its chief product officer. He joins New Way with more than 20 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, having held roles in sales, operations, service and new product development. Evans oversees product design, development and support.

McLaughlin Family Cos. encompasses a portfolio of businesses that includes refuse and recycling equipment, animal control and mobile veterinary equipment, new and used automotive vehicle sales and automotive parts and car care products distribution and sales.

DS Smith appoints managing director

Photo courtesy of DS Smith

DS Smith, a sustainable packaging company headquartered in London with North American operations based in Atlanta, has named Keith Tornes managing director of paper, forestry and recycling for North America.

According to a news release from DS Smith, Tornes has nearly 30 years of experience in operations and plant management in several senior global leadership roles. He will be responsible for the U.S. operations that produce linerboard and corrugating medium to support the company’s integrated corrugated packaging business.

Based in Riceboro, Georgia, he oversees paper production at DS Smith’s paper mills and North American recycling and forestry operations with a focus on growing DS Smith’s paper production and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, high-performing papers to meet changing demands in packaging and other industry sectors.

“DS Smith is recognized globally for its ambitious sustainability goals and consistently meets rising demand for innovative, easy-to-recycle paper-based products to replace plastic,” Tornes says. “I’m excited to combine my industry experience with DS Smith’s unique paper and packaging solutions, which serve as a solid foundation to continue to grow the business in North America.”

Tornes joins DS Smith from Sonoco, a global packaging company where he served as the segment manufacturing manager for protective solutions. At Sonoco, he also had 15 years in plant manager roles, leading facilities in several of Sonoco’s business units, including paper and protective solutions. Before Sonoco, he was at International Paper, where he led mill operations in roles with increasing responsibility.

“I am pleased to welcome Keith to the team and believe his extensive expertise will help us continue to strengthen the vision and leadership in North America,” says Niels Flierman, managing director of paper, recycling and capex at DS Smith. “As head of paper, forestry and recycling, he will be a critical team member to continue carrying out our company purpose of ‘Redefining packaging for a changing world.”