GrafTech expands board, appoints new director

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio - GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF), a manufacturer of graphite electrode products with a market capitalization of approximately $298 million, has increased its Board of Directors to nine members and appointed Eric V. Roegner as a new independent director. Roegner, who brings extensive experience from his tenure at Amcor plc and Arconic Inc., will also serve on the Audit Committee and Human Resources and Compensation Committee. According to InvestingPro data, the company currently faces significant operational challenges, with a weak overall financial health score.

Henry R. Keizer, Chair of the Board, expressed confidence in Roegner’s ability to contribute valuable insights, particularly in strategically navigating cyclical industries. Roegner’s appointment comes ahead of the company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where his term as a director will expire. The appointment comes at a crucial time as GrafTech faces challenges with its total debt of over $1 billion and negative EBITDA of -$16.7 million in the last twelve months.

Roegner’s background includes his current role at Amcor plc as Executive Vice President of Integration and Special Projects since January 2025, and over a decade of executive leadership at Arconic Inc., a provider of aluminum solutions. His early career includes a partnership at McKinsey & Co. He holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University.

GrafTech is recognized for its high-capacity manufacturing facilities and vertical integration into petroleum needle coke, which gives it a competitive edge in product quality and cost. This strategic appointment is expected to further enhance the company’s board expertise.

The information for this report is based on a press release statement.

In other recent news, GrafTech International Ltd. reported significant changes within its executive and board leadership. The company announced the resignation of Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Gina K. Gunning, effective January 24, 2025. Gunning’s departure was officially communicated in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, although GrafTech has yet to name her successor. In a separate development, Marcel Kessler will resign from GrafTech’s Board of Directors, effective December 31, 2024. The company clarified that Kessler’s resignation is not due to any disagreements with GrafTech’s operations or policies. GrafTech has not disclosed plans for replacing Kessler or how it will manage the board vacancy. These recent developments were detailed in SEC filings and press releases by the company, which is headquartered in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio. Investors and stakeholders are likely to monitor how these leadership changes will influence GrafTech’s strategic direction.

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