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Orkla ASA (OSL:ORK) Bjørn Wiggen will become a member of Orkla's Group Executive Board with responsibility for the Orkla Materials business area, which comprises Elkem and Borregaard. Per Sørlie will continue as Managing Director of Borregaard. Mr Wiggen will also serve as Acting Managing Director of Elkem, as the parties have reached agreement on Helge Holen's resignation.
"Orkla Materials consists of exciting companies with strong organisations and considerable development potential. I am looking forward to starting work," says Bjørn Wiggen.
Bjørn Wiggen (48) is a business graduate from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. He began his career in the Orkla Group in 1983 at Elkem Thamshavn. He has broad international experience, among other posts as head of Pripps Bryggerier and Ringnes.
From 2001 Mr Wiggen held key positions at Carlsberg Breweries, including being in charge of operations and development of the group's Central and Eastern European breweries. He subsequently headed Orkla Media/Mecom Europe from 2005-2007.
The parties had differing views on certain strategic assessments, and Helge Holen has resigned as Managing Director of Elkem by mutual agreement. Chairman of Elkem's Board of Directors, Orkla President and CEO Dag J. Opedal, thanks Mr. Holen for his efforts on behalf of the company.
Oslo, 23 September 2008
Ref.: Ole Kristian Lunde, SVP Corporate Communications Tel.: +47-2254 4431
Orkla Materials consists of the companies Elkem and Borregaard. Elkem is a world leader in the environmentally-friendly production of metals and materials. Its principal products are aluminium, energy, silicon metal, special ferrosilicon alloys for the foundry industry, carbon and microsilica. Elkem has also invested substantially in the solar power industry. Borregaard holds a leading position as a manufacturer of biochemicals based on renewable raw materials. The company also has attractive positions in the ingredients, fine chemicals and energy sectors, and has factories and sales offices in more than 20 countries.
Facts and background at www.orkla.com. Illustrations: Go to www.orkla.com, News / Illustrations. Here you can download the Orkla logo, pictures of the Orkla management and other photographs.
