Bangkok--14 Mar--Sahaviriya Steel Industries
Sahaviriya Steel Industries UK (“SSI UK”), 100% owned by Thailand’s largest steel producer Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited (“SSI”), yesterday announces that it has appointed Phil Dryden as President following its acquisition of Teesside Cast Products (“TCP”) last month. Phil will have overall responsibility for TCP’s operations.
Phil, 54, was previously the Division Director, Corus Long Products, where his business responsibilities included TCP as well as Engineering Steels, Corus Tubes and Construction & Industrial. In that role he helped to develop a plan for TCP following the withdrawal of the offtaker consortium and return the loss-making Engineering Steels business to profit.
He joined Corus in April 2004 as Managing Director, Corus Strip Products UK, and is best known within the steel industry for turning around the South Wales business in that role.
A chemical engineer by training, Phil previously worked in the chemical and electronic component industries, spending the early part of his career at BP and Exxon in a variety of roles in the UK, USA and Middle East.
Phil’s predecessor, SSI UK Interim Managing Director David Reid, will remain a board director of SSI UK while returning to his previous role as Managing Partner of Metals Strategies Inc., a consultancy.
Win Viriyaprapaikit, President of SSI, said: “Phil’s knowledge of Teesside Cast Products and significant experience in the UK steel industry will prove invaluable to SSI UK. We are delighted to have attracted a candidate of this calibre to the company.
“I would also like to thank David Reid for the important part he played in negotiating the acquisition of Teesside Cast Products and establishing strong relationships with key stakeholders during that process. David will remain on the board of SSI UK, providing continuity as Phil settles into his new role.”
Phil Dryden, President of SSI UK, said: “I am excited about the prospect of leading the team that will restore Teesside Cast Products to full production. At a time when the industrial footprint of the UK seems to shrink every year, this is a great opportunity to play a role in securing the future of a major steel plant in the North East.”