KERAKOLL Group has appointed two new managers, completing the top team in its organisational structure. The appointments are for the heads of the international area and research & development, with the objective of giving further impetus to the group’s growth path.

Marco Righi has been appointed as the group’s new chief of the international business unit (CIBUO), whose main responsibility will be to develop and coordinate the activities of the seven regions in which Kerakoll now operates (APAC, UK/NL/Nordics, DACH, West Europe, MEA & GCC, east and south, Brazil).

The creation of the new division will boost the internationalisation process with the aim of consolidating and strengthening Kerakoll’s presence in international markets, which in 2023 accounted for 41% of total revenues, amounting to €316m.

Federico Menta has been invited to take on the role of new chief of research and development (CR&DO), with responsibility for guiding research, development and quality control activities; fundamental pillars for a group like Kerakoll that says it makes innovation and sustainability two of the hallmarks of its DNA and invests 2.6% of turnover in R&D and technical assistance.

The company, at group level, has 69 lines with a total of more than 6,000 products for laying, building and surfaces.

‘We’re thrilled to welcome two professionals of the calibre and experience of Marco and Federico to our team,’ said Marco Zini, group CEO of Kerakoll. ‘With the contribution they’ll be able to make in terms of vision and management skills, Kerakoll is further strengthening its managerial structure and its identity as a group that aims to have an increasingly important presence in international markets and which, also in line with its being a B Corp certified benefit company, is renewing its growing commitment to innovation and sustainability.’

Marco Righi graduated in structural civil engineering from the Politecnico di Milano, MBA from SDA Bocconi and program international leadership at INSEAD, and has gained many years’ experience in management positions at an international level in the building materials sector.

After starting his career in consulting, then in the oil & gas sector, in 2002 he joined Lafarge Roofing, now BMI Group, where he held the position of sales & market development director USA, Asia, South Africa and Russia and participated in several M&A projects.

Also, at BMI (formerly Braas Monier), from 2008 he held the position of sales & marketing director Italy and then became CEO for Monier Roofing Components in Germany. Since 2013, in the same BMI Group, he took on the role of regional president Asia Pacific and CEO Malaysia, based in Kuala Lumpur, where he was part of the IPO team for the group’s listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Since 2018, he’s been regional president Asia Pacific and managing director China and Malaysia for Hilding Anders International AB, a Swedish company part of the portfolio of the KKR investment fund.

Federico Menta, a graduate in industrial chemistry from the University of Parma, has had a career of increasing responsibility at PPG, a leading American multinational paint developer and manufacturer.

After starting at Intercast Europe as R&D Leader, in 2011, after the acquisition by PPG, he was promoted to associate director R&D in Pittsburgh in the US, leading global teams in the development of polymers and optical coatings.

In 2014, he returned to Italy as global director for dispersion science for Automotive Refinish Coatings and, from 2019, global technical director for paints, adhesives and sealants in the automotive OEM sector.

Since 2023, he’s held the position of director of a segment of the automotive business, gaining further experience in product portfolio management and innovation projects.

Finally, the group has also appointed a new regional director east and south Europe, Michal Wroblewski, who joined on 7 January.

‘The arrival of Michal Wroblewski is an important moment for our new international business area, which is now fully staffed. Michal, in fact, joins regional directors Pau Ramia (regional director, West Europe), Ahzam Javed (regional director, APAC), Carl Gardner (regional director UK, NL & Nordics), Michael Heim (regional director DACH) Saed Mattar (regional director MEA & GCC) and Carlos Eduardo Ferreira (general manager Brazil),’ commented Marco Zini, CEO of Kerakoll Group.

Michal Wroblewski has held several senior roles in leading companies, covering a wide range of geographic areas, including US, EMEA and APAC. His contribution will also be crucial for the development of our business in the region, where we’re present in Poland and Greece, and in countries where we don’t yet have a direct presence.’

‘I’m excited to become a member of the experienced Kerakoll’s team; full of passion for action and collaboration. Every day we’ll work together to build ‘better places to live,’ inspiring stakeholders in the market and shaping future trends in southeast Europe. Our energy and commitment will allow us to achieve ambitious goals and make a lasting impact on our industry. I believe together we can create a sustainable future that encourages our customers and partners to work together.’ stressed Michal Wroblewski, regional director East & South Europe, Kerakoll Group.

Michal has an educational background in strategic and financial management, an Executive MBA from Aalto University in Finland and several leadership and innovation management programs. Prior to joining Kerakoll, Michal was general manager Poland, CEE Scandinavia for the Stuertz Group, described as a market leader in the development of window manufacturing solutions.

Previously, he spent most of his career at Saint-Gobain Group, holding increasing responsibilities as managing director, member of the board and general manager EMEA in the glass, automotive, building materials and abrasives industries. During his professional journey, he lived in the Scandinavian countries and in Germany, the US and France.

Michal Wroblewski will operate from Kerakoll Polska in Poland, which opened in 2002, and will contribute to Kerakoll’s development and success in the new region.
www.kerakoll.com