New US Executive Leadership Appointed at Covestro

SprayFoamMagazine.com – February 24, 2023 – Global polymer materials manufacturer Covestro recently announced in an email press release that Samir Hifri will take the position of Chairman and President at Covestro LLC, effective July 1, 2023. In this role, Hifri will reportedly lead the company’s U.S. operations, succeeding Haakan Jonsson, who will retire after 30-plus years of service with Covestro.

Currently, Hifri serves a dual role as the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Covestro Hong Kong, as well as head of the Supply Chain & Logistics Center for the Asia Pacific region. He joined the company in 1998 as a commercial trainee at Covestro’s U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Since then, he has reportedly led a diverse career spanning product management, sales and marketing, supply chain and country management, which has taken him to 10 Covestro sites across six countries and three continents.

“I’m both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead and work alongside the talented U.S. team, as we continue to advance the company’s vision of becoming fully circular,” said Hifri. “In some ways, I feel as though as my own career has come full circle, as this next chapter brings me back to Pittsburgh, where my Covestro journey first began.”

Hifri holds a bachelor’s degree in international finance from Duquesne University, as well as an executive degree from INSEAD in France. Hifri is married with four children, and, in addition to his professional responsibilities, remains active in a number of community and academic functions, according to the release.

“With his passion for people, deep knowledge of Covestro’s global business and strong ties to America, Samir is well suited to lead the U.S. organization into the future,” said Thomas Toepfer, CFO at Covestro and member of the Board of Management.

Hifri will succeed Jonsson, who joined the company as a scientist in 1992 and has reportedly held leadership roles spanning innovation, supply chain and production operations, as well as more than 20 patents, during his career. Jonsson assumed his current role in January 2020 and helped the company “shift gears from the normal course of business to safely sustain U.S. operations in the face of a global pandemic,” according to the release.

During his tenure, Jonsson also reportedly oversaw the U.S. integration of the resins and functional materials business (acquired from DSM) and the launch of the Covestro Circular Economy Program at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as remaining an actively engaged board member serving numerous organizations across the Pittsburgh community and broader U.S. chemical industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to have led a long, fulfilling career with Covestro, which culminated in the ultimate privilege of leading the first-class team here in the U.S.,” said Jonsson. “As my own Covestro journey comes to a close, I am confident that the U.S. organization will continue to grow and thrive under Samir’s capable leadership.”

“On behalf of the Board of Management, I want to exend my congratulations to Samir and also to recognize Haakan for his many contributions to Covestro. Haakan steered the U.S. organization through one of the most challenging and transformative periods in our history, while continuing to foster a more diverse, inclusive and innovative culture,” added Toepfer.

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