Merck announces new head of its Semiconductor Materials business

07-Dec-2017 - Germany

Merck KGaA announced a change in leadership of its semiconductor materials business within performance materials. Anand Nambiar (43) will become Head of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s Integrated Circuit Materials business unit, effective April 1, 2018.

Nambiar is currently leading the Group’s Biopharma and Consumer Health businesses in India. He holds a degree from Boston University and an MBA from University of California. He joined Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in 2014. In his future role, Nambiar will report to Kai Beckmann, CEO Performance Materials and Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Anand joined us with AZ Electronic Materials, so he is very familiar with our materials business for the semiconductor industry,” said Beckmann. “He has proven his management capabilities in different roles across the globe. I’m convinced Anand will lead our semiconductor materials business into a bright future.”The move once again demonstrates the Group’s commitment to grow leaders across businesses and its ability to fill leadership positions with experienced managers from within the company.

Anand Nambiar will succeed Rico Wiedenbruch (47) who has decided to leave the company and take a break for private reasons. Beckmann explicitly regretted Wiedenbruch’s decision: “I would like to sincerely thank Rico for his great achievements and dedication. He established our materials business for the semiconductor industry as a growing business with excellent opportunities. I would have liked to keep Rico on my Leadership Team. While I regret his decision very much, I do respect his private motives.”The business with semiconductor materials became part of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, through the acquisition of AZ Electronic Materials where Wiedenbruch had led the respective business since 2012. During the first nine months of 2017, the business unit delivered strong organic growth, with dielectrics and deposition materials for chip production performing well in particular.In order to ensure a smooth transition, Wiedenbruch will continue to lead the business unit until the end of March 2018 and will serve as an advisor until mid 2018.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/165985/merck-announces-new-head-of-its-semiconductor-materials-business.html