Newbury, UK -- Seamus Gillan is to head the Bayer MaterialScience operation for the UK and Ireland, taking over from Martin Sixsmith, who retired at the end of 2008 after more than 31 years with the company.
Gillan joined the Bayer Group in 1987 as a sales representative for Northern Ireland, before being seconded into the Chemical Division's Dublin office in 1990. He took over as manager of this division in 1997 and has been with the company through its transition to Bayer Polymers, and finally, Bayer MaterialScience in 2004.
"Bayer MaterialScience has a well established, solid business with excellent products and a strong customer orientation," said Gillan, in a Bayer UK press statement.
He pointed out that, "there are many challenges to face - not least the current economic downturn in the UK and Ireland which impacts our major customers, notably in the construction and automotive sectors." Gillan said BMS' key objectives are to "stay close to our customers, be flexible to change, adapt structures where necessary and seize opportunities as they come our way."
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