New CEO appointed for Holcim Philippines

By Edgar U. Timbungco

Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) announced changes in its top management with the appointment of Eduardo A.  Sahagun as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2013.
           

The current President Magdaleno B. Albarracin, Jr. and Chief Operating Officer Roland van Wijnen will be resigning their posts on Dec. 31, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013, respectively.

           

In its statement, the company acknowledged the many contributions of Albarracin as president since it began operating as Holcim Philippines in 2004, and van Wijnen's able leadership in steering the company to sustained growth. 

           

The company will continue to benefit from their expertise as both will remain as directors of HPHI.   
           

On Sahagun’s appointment, van Wijnen said, “There is no doubt that Ed is the right man to lead Holcim Philippines at this time.”  He acknowledged Sahagun’s significant achievements throughout his long career in the cement business. “Ed has certainly contributed much towards helping shape Holcim Philippines to become the strong company it is today.”
           

Sahagun brings with him 33 years of experience in the cement industry, holding a number of positions in Audit, Treasury and Controlling in the PHINMA Group before he was appointed Chief Finance Officer for Holcim Philippines in 2002. He assumed his current post of SVP-Commercial in 2007, and subsequently led his team to expand the business by launching product and marketing innovations and customer-focused initiatives.            

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, with an MBA from the Ateneo Graduate School, and a Masters in Management Science from the Arthur D. Little School of Management in Boston (now Hult International Business School) where he was a consistent Dean’s Lister.
           

Sahagun acknowledged the baton is passed at a time when the company is strongly poised for growth and where there are tremendous opportunities for the industry. Holcim Philippines achieved record volumes in the first half, and is set to sustain this level of growth.
           

“I hope to be able to continue the many successes that Roland has led our company to achieve,” said Sahagun. “We will continue to focus on our roadmap and hopefully bring Holcim Philippines to take its place among the leading and most respected companies in the Holcim Group.”