Perth, Feb 2, 2006 AEST (ABN Newswire) - A former international Vice President for the global oilfield services group, Schlumberger Limited, has been appointed by Neptune Marine Services Limited (ASX: NMS) as Managing Director to drive the overseas expansion of Australia's only listed underwater welding group.
Neptune announced today that it had appointed Mr Christian Lange to the position, effective from next week.
In a 16 year career with Schlumberger, Mr Lange held a range of senior executive positions responsible for operations, capital markets, marketing, business strategy and general management.
He is also a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the minerals based manufacturing and distribution company, SDS Corporation Limited, successfully executing that Company's restructuring and turnaround strategy.
"Neptune is poised in 2006 to rapidly commercialise our unique welding technology in our key initial target markets of Australia, Asia, the Middle East and the US," Neptune's Executive Director, Mr Clive Langley, said today.
"It is essential for success within this environment that we have a senior management structure highly experienced in the global business environment, corporate strategy, joint ventures, alliances, marketing and relevant international contacts in the oil, gas, energy, water infrastructure, engineering, and defence and civilian naval sectors particularly," Mr Langley said.
"Our technology is such that we expect exponential growth in demand as our target markets review our expanding track record, and the time, cost and quality parameters the system delivers. Mr Lange's international experience will service these growth objectives."
In his most recent Vice President's position in New York and Paris with Schlumberger, Mr Lange was responsible for the group's key capital markets, merger and acquisitions advice and investor relations. He has also held senior management positions in operations, marketing and business strategy for the Middle East, North Africa and South America.
The Perth-based appointment coincides with Neptune Marine's recent milestones for its underwater welding technology including its breakthrough overseas contract, its first oil and gas sector contract, the first development from its alliance with one of Asia's largest maritime services group, and repeat business with the Royal Australian Navy.
Neptune announced earlier this week that it had established a full time operations base within the Royal Australian Navy's Garden Island facility in Sydney - one of the few contractors awarded such privilege.
The Company is due to commence field trials next month with the WA Water Corporation, on the application of its underwater welding technology to more rapidly ease the crisis facing Perth's ageing public water pipe network.
Contact
Clive Langley
Executive Director
Neptune Marine Services Limited
TEL: +61 8 9226 5722
Kevin Skinner
Field Public Relations
TEL: +61 8 8234 9555
TEL: +61 414 822 631
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