Belovo Paper Mill Appoints Yonov Executive Director

Belovo Paper Mill (tissue products), Athens, Greece, has appointed Kalin Yonov to the position of executive director, effective this month (January 2018). Yonov has worked for more than 10 years in the recycling segment of Viohalco. Having broad general management experience in redefining organizational structure, developing sales, managing supply chains, and financing business plans, Yonov will be responsible for implementing the board’s vision and strategy.

Konstantinos Karagiannis, chairman of the Belovo Paper Mill Board of Directors, said that "we are very happy to have Mr. Yonov on board, a leader with demonstrated experience in dealing with complex business problems and in increasing shareholder’s value through efficient management of company resources. His progressive thinking, hands-on management style, and positive attitude are traits which will contribute to the further development of Belovo Paper Mill."

Michael Sideridis, outgoing executive director, noted that "it has been an honor to be leading the company during the past 20 years, driving change with the team from its privatization until now. I am here to support the transition and wish Mr. Yonov a successful tenure."

Yonov, incoming executive director, said that "it is both a privilege and a challenge to carry on the successful course and heritage of a company such as Belovo Paper Mill. Moving forward, our efforts will be concentrated on the deployment of a dynamic business plan which will reinforce the competitive position of the company in the region."

Dimitris Zeritis and Georgios Zeritis, vice-chairmen of the board of directors, added that "we are confident that Mr. Yonov is the right person to deliver on Zeritis Group’s philosophy ‘Embracing Evolution. Leading Change.’ Having already created and started executing a focused investment plan to modernize our operations, the company is now set to accelerate its implementation. On behalf of the board of directors, we would like to express our sincere appreciation towards the work of Mr. Sideridis, who has steered the company effectively throughout the past 20 years. Taking Belovo Paper Mill from a public entity and transforming it into a private one is a significant accomplishment that can only be executed with persistence and hard work."

Belovo is a regional player in the Balkans and Central Eastern Europe, acquired by the Zeritis Group and SCA, as a strategic partner and minority shareholder, with an investment program of $12 million. Establiahed in 1900, Belovo is the largest tissue paper producer in Bulgaria with a capacity of 58,000 metric tpy of tissue and wrapping paper, produced by four paper machines. It is a vertically integrated unit, including production of jumbo rolls and conversion to household tissue products, such as toilet rolls, napkins, kitchen towels, pocket hankies, and facial tissues. These are sold under the Belana brand, which is widely used by Bulgarian consumers. The export activity of Belovo both in jumbo rolls and household tissue products reaches more than 25 countries and represents more than 50% of its production volume.