India: The director of JK Cement, Shri Jagendra Swarup, passed away on 30 July 2014. His replacement is expected to be announced shortly.

France: Thierry Legrand has been appointed as senior vice president of transformation and acceleration at Lafarge's head office in Paris. Legrand has been the chief executive of Lafarge South Africa for five years. Kenneth MacLean, who is currently Lafarge group's senior vice president for performance aggregate, will replace him from 1 August 2014.

During his time in South Africa, Legrand integrated the company's local cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, gypsum and fly ash business lines into a country organisation and drove its ambition of contributing to building better cities. MacLean said that he was excited to be in South Africa and looked forward to the challenge.

India: JK Cement has appointed Sushila Devi Singhania as an additional director with effect from 26 July 2014.

US: Vecoplan, a provider of processing technologies and comprehensive systems for the production of alternative fuel from waste and biomass and fuels feeding systems, has appointed Uwe Eschenhorst as vice president of its cement business. Eschenhorst joined Vecoplan in 2012 as vice president of its alternative fuels and energy competency centre. Prior to that he was the environmental services manager at Polysius Corp USA, working with the cement and minerals industries. Eschenhorst brings more than 14 years of practical experience to his new position at Vecoplan.

"Uwe's impressive credentials and vast experience in this sector make him the perfect choice to head-up our Cement Business Unit here at Vecoplan," said Len Beusse, COO of Vecoplan. In his new position, Eschenhorst will be responsible for sales in the North American cement industry. He will also supervise all strategic aspects of large projects in this sector.