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Canada: Progressive Planet Solutions has hired Japan-based independent technical consultant Gerhard Albrecht. Albrecht’s work for Progressive Planet Solutions will focus on issues around the increased water demand of cement replacement by pozzolanic materials.

Albrecht has created over one hundred patents and appeared in more than 30 papers during his career as Vice President at Germany-based BASF Construction Solutions from 2006 to 2017. He previously held senior research positions at Degussa Construction Chemicals and SKW Trostberg. Albrecht holds a PhD in polymer science from Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Germany.

US: Vulcan Materials has appointed Ronnie Pruitt as its CEO with effect from the start of 2026. Tom Hill, the company’s current CEO and chair, will become its executive chair.

Pruitt holds over three decades of experience in the building materials sector. He has worked as Vulcan’s Chief Operating Officer since mid-2023. Prior to this, he was Senior Vice President for Vulcan's Southwest and Western Divisions. He joined Vulcan in 2021 with the acquisition of US Concrete, where he worked as CEO. He has also worked for Martin Marietta Materials and TXI.

Vulcan Materials produces construction aggregates and materials including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. Its headquarters are in Birmingham, Alabama.

Egypt: Ayat Zanaty has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Holcim subsidiary Lafarge Egypt. Zanaty will be the first woman in the position, advancing Lafarge Egypt’s NextGen2030 strategy.

Zanaty has worked for Lafarge Egypt since 2008, most recently as Senior Manager – Financial Planning Analysis. She holds a bachelor’s of business administration degree in Finance and Marketing from The American University in Cairo.

US: James Hardie has appointed Samara Toole as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Toole will lead marketing strategy and execution across the company’s James Hardie, TimberTech and AZEK Exteriors brands. She brings over 20 years’ consumer product industry experience, including as CMO of outdoor living products company The AZEK Company and home furnishings company California Closets and as Senior Vice President Marketing at interior design company Serena & Lily.

Business Wire News has reported that James Hardie CEO Aaron Erter said "Under Sam's leadership, we will continue to elevate our marketing capabilities, deepen customer engagement and successfully expand our market presence across North America."

Toole said "My focus is on showcasing the beauty, performance and sustainability of our products to drive growth across the entire value chain."

Saudi Arabia: Southern Province Cement has appointed Saud bin Safar Al-Bargan as its CEO.

Al-Bargan holds over 25 years of professional experience with 15 years in the cement and building materials sector. He joined Southern Province Cement in 2011. Notable roles he has held at the company include Director of Marketing and Sales, Director of Planning and Business Development, Director of Engineering Services, Director of Supply Chain Management, Executive Vice President of Operations and Operations, and secretary of the board of directors. He is a graduate in applied mechanical engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.