Peter Stehle has retired after 15 years as a member of the management board of Freudenberg & Co. KG, Weinheim, Ger­many. His colleagues Jörg Sost and Martin Stark have taken over responsibility for business in seals and vibration control technology and mechatronics. The other members of the Freuden­berg Group management board are Peter Bettermann and Albert Pürzer.

New Organization At Buckeye Technologies
Buckeye Technologies has established a new organization whose mission is to lead efforts in lowering costs, reducing working capital and eliminating waste. The company intends to implement the Lean Enterprise methodology throughout its operations.

William Handel, currently senior vice president, human resources, will be appointed senior vice president, Lean Enterprise, to lead this effort. He will have overall responsibility for all human resources, customer service and information systems activities.

In other news, Steven Dean has been elected vice president and controller providing overall financial leadership for business operations. He joined Buckeye in 1999 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the finance organization.

Terrence Reed was elected vice president, human resources with responsibility for all personnel planning and support systems, including development of the company’s high performance work system.

Phillip Reese was elected vice president, absorbent fibers. He will have responsibility for Buckeye’s worldwide sales of fluff pulp and other absorbent materials. He joined Buckeye in 1986 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in manufacturing and sales.

Darrell Adams was elected vice president, specialty fibers—North America and Asia. Mr. Adams will have responsibility for Buckeye’s specialty fibers sales operations in those geographies. He joined Buckeye in 1978 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in product development and sales.

In a related move, Horst Gottsche-Kuhn, currently vice president, cotton cellulose sales, will become vice president, Specialty Fibers—Europe and South America. He will have the same responsibilities as Mr. Adams in North America and Asia.