SI Group, a leading global manufacturer of chemical intermediates, specialty resins and solutions has announced that its South African Director of Operations, Gordon McNeilage, has been promoted to the position of Senior Director, Manufacturing – Northeast Asia for the Group. McNeilage’s new position is effective 6 March 2017 and he will be based in Shanghai, China.
“This is a big opportunity for me and my family with many challenges going forward, but ones that will also offer prospects for myself and the Group,” said McNeilage.
“The Asia Pacific region is being reorganised in a way that can better support this very large, dynamic, and diverse region. In my new position I will have responsibility for the three manufacturing operations in China and the one in Korea.”
“The three plants in China are situated in the Songjiang, Jinshan, and Nanjing Chemical Industry Parks. Nanjing was established in 2013 as a result of strong demand from our loyal and strong customer base in the rubber, abrasive, friction, impregnation, and refractory markets in the region. The Jinshan plant manufactures antioxidants and active pharmaceutical ingredients such as Ibuprofen and Propofol and was acquired in 2014. Nanjing is in the central region of China while the other two, Songjiang and Jinshan are close to Shanghai.”
“Effectively I will be moving out of the foundry industry that I have been part of for the last 23 years. I would like to thank all the clients and colleagues that I have dealt with during this period. All of them have contributed to my personal growth and I am thankful.”
“I qualified with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and my first position in the industry was a sales role at Minerals Binders Clays followed by a similar position at Durrans RMS.”
“I joined the SI Group as the National Sales Manager in South Africa in 2005 before being appointed to the position as General Manager in 2010 for the Group in South Africa. From 2012 I have served as Director – South Africa Operations with responsibilities for both Johannesburg and Durban.”
“The South African operation, with manufacturing plants in Alrode, Gauteng and Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal will continue to operate as is. There are significant plans to invest and grow the business commitments in South Africa, including the Huettenes-Albertus foundry business, which has identified South Africa to further invest,” explained McNeilage.
“Although the Group has made significant investments in China it is still very bullish about the whole area. The Group is preparing to expand the Jinshan plant, adding capacity to make materials that prevent plastic from oxidising and aging. The investment will boost SI Group’s presence in China beyond the 459 employees who already work in the country.”
“Founded in 1906 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, USA the SI Group is a family-owned company with over 2 700 employees worldwide. SI Group operates over 20 manufacturing facilities on five continents with over $1 billion in annual sales.”
“I am proud to be part of this dynamic Group and to be given this opportunity.”
Gordon can still be contacted on his company email address Gordon.McNeilage@siigroup.com
For further details contact SI Group SA on TEL: 011 389 8200 or visit www.siigroup.com or www.huettenes-albertus.com
