Norske Skog Changes Corporate Management Structure

Norske Skog, Norway, this week reported that its corporate management will be reduced from seven to three members, effective September 1. The new team will consist of CEO Sven Ombudstvedt, CFO Rune Gjessing, and COO Trond Stangeby.

"I am grateful to be joined by two such highly experienced people, Rune and Trond, in the future development of the company. The challenges ahead will be to continue to adjust capacity to market needs, while at the same time adjusting our organization to the company's size and activities. I want to thank all of the retiring members of corporate management. They have for several years contributed with valuable work to improve the profitability of the group," Ombudstvedt said.

The structure of the new corporate management, Ombudstvedt explained, will be adapted to the operating model we already have implemented. "We are now taking the final step from a corporate-driven organization to a flatter organization with independent business units. The overall objectives of the changes have been to improve return on capital and cash-flow from the plants and reduce fixed costs," he said.

Gjessing is currently SVP of operations outside of Europe. He has served in corporate management since 2007 and has been employed in Norske Skog since 2002. He has held several positions within Norske Skog, including SVP of strategy and director of investor relations.

Stangeby is currently SVP of organizational development, and now becomes COO. He has broad experience from various leading positions in Norwegian industry.

SVP of Commercial Jan-H. Clasen will maintain his current role and responsibilities, and will report to Stangeby.

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