OAKVILLE, ON, Dec. 6, 2011 /CNW/ - Vicwest Inc. (the "Company") (
TSX: VIC, VIC.DB) today announced that Kent Harris will join the Company as Chief
Financial Officer effective January 3, 2012.
Mr. Harris brings extensive financial management experience to his new
position including senior financial leadership roles in a variety of
public companies, and direct leadership experience with complex supply
chain, information technology, and metal forming operations on a global
basis. Kent has served in a number of senior executive positions
including Wescast Industries, where he was CFO, several subsidiaries of
Magna International, where he held the positions of Vice President of
Finance, Vice President of Global Purchasing and Assistant General
Manager, and most recently at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., where he
served as Senior Vice President & CFO. Mr. Harris began his career at
KPMG where he earned his CA designation and also holds an Economics
degree from the University of Toronto.
In making the appointment, Colin Osborne, President and CEO of Vicwest
Inc. said: "Kent's demonstrated track record as a successful public
company CFO and his substantial commercial, operational and
international experience makes him the perfect choice for this critical
role on our management team. His unique background will be invaluable
to us as we drive our growth and opportunity in global markets and
enhance the effectiveness of our multi-plant North American
operations."
Mr. Harris replaces Edward Mahood, who has served since April 2011 as
interim CFO. "My sincere thanks to Ted for his significant
contributions which will allow for a seamless transition," said Mr.
Osborne.
ABOUT VICWEST INC.
Vicwest Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of building
construction products, and steel containment products for agricultural
grain, fertilizer and liquid storage. Through its Vicwest Building
Products division, the Company fabricates and markets metal roofing,
siding and other metal building products under the trade names Vicwest,
Mercury Metals, Valley Truss & Metal, RCA Metal and AWIP-Vicwest USA.
The Company's Westeel Storage Solutions division manufactures storage
solutions for agricultural grain and fertilizer, as well as liquid
storage tanks and accessories. These products are manufactured and
distributed under the trade names Westeel, Northern Steel Industries
and NSI. Through a global alliance, Westeel distributes Buhler
Industries-manufactured grain handling equipment in Canada under the
Westeel brand while Buhler Industries markets and sells
Westeel-manufactured products through its US distribution network. In
Canada, Westeel also represents Skandia, Europe's most advanced
elevator and conveyor grain handling systems.