Boral appoints head of US business as CEO

Mike Kane, president of Boral USA, has been appointed as managing director and CEO of the parent company in Australia. He succeeds Ross Batstone who has filled-in as CEO since May when Mark Selway unexpectedly stood down from the role.

Dr Bob Avery, chairman of the heavy materials group said, "Mike's proven track record managing businesses through cycles and his stewardship of Boral's US operations during a period of extremely difficult market conditions while delivering substantial operational improvements is critically important to Boral going forward."

Mr Kane joined Boral in February 2010 as president of the US business. Prior to that he held senior executive roles with US Gypsum, Pioneer/Hanson Building Materials, Johns-Manville Corp and Holcim. His 25 years at US Gypsum included five years managing the company's Asia Pacific and International business.

According to Boral, his appointment comes after considering both internal and external candidates. "I am delighted to have been appointed to the position of CEO of Boral," said Mr Kane. "Boral is an iconic building and construction materials company in Australia with an increasingly significant position in the global building materials industry.

"My immediate priorities are to work with Boral's management team to continue to strengthen Boral's financial position by maximising cash generation, further aligning Boral's operational portfolio and delivering benefits from our lean manufacturing initiative."