BASF trims board as part of cost-cutting programme

LONDON (ICIS)–BASF is to have six board members, effective 1 January, instead of seven as part of its cost-cutting programme, the German chemicals major said on Monday.

Hong Kong-based Sanjeev Gandhi, responsible for Asia-Pacific and for the Petrochemicals and Intermediates divisions, is to leave the board on 31 December.

Gandhi will leave the company “at his own request”, according to BASF.

“In addition as part of the ongoing reorganisation, the cross-functional service units Global Engineering Services, Global Digital Services and Global Business Services will provide end-to-end services worldwide,” it said.

The German major said in June it was due to cut 6,000 jobs worldwide as part of its cost-cutting programme.

That represents nearly 5% of its 122,000 employees, of which nearly 56,000 are based in Germany.

The company did not clarify, however, the jurisdictions in which it was aiming to reduce its workforce.

As of 1 January, BASF’s board will be formed by:

– Martin Brudermuller, CEO and chief technology officer (CTO).

– Hans-Ulrich Engel, CFO.

– Saori Dubourg, in charge of Agricultural Solutions; Care Chemicals; Nutrition & Health; Construction Chemicals (soon to be divested); Bioscience Research; Region Europe. In a company with an unequal gender balance (see bottom graph), Dubourg will be the only woman sitting on the board.

– Michael Heinz, Industrial Relations Director, in charge of Global Engineering Services; Corporate Environmental Protection, Health & Safety; European Site & Verbund Management; Region South America.

– Markus Kamieth, based in Asia and in charge of Catalysts; Coatings; Dispersions & Pigments; Performance Chemicals; Advanced Materials & Systems Research; BASF New Business; Greater China; South & East Asia,  Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia/New Zealand.

– Wayne T Smith, based in North America and in charge of Monomers; Performance Materials; Petrochemicals; Intermediates; Market & Business Development, Site & Verbund Management North America; Country Platforms North America; Process Research & Chemical Engineering.

BASF global workforce
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