AFX
AFX
AFX - African Oxygen Limited - Afrox announces the appointment of Tjaart Kruger
as its new Managing Director
African Oxygen Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1927/000089/06)
JSE code: AFX
NSX code: AOX
ISIN: ZAE000067120
("the company")
18 January 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Afrox announces the appointment of Tjaart Kruger as its new Managing Director
Rick Hogben to retire after 13 years with the company
African Oxygen Limited (Afrox) has announced that Tjaart Kruger, currently an
Executive at Tiger Brands Ltd, is to become the new Managing Director and CEO of
Afrox - the industrial gases, welding and safety products group.
He takes over a company with a turnover of R4 billion. He joins Afrox on 1 March
and his appointment as Managing Director is effective from 1 April 2007.
Tjaart, aged 47, has held various executive positions in Tiger, recently the
positions of Managing Executive for Adcock Ingram Pharmaceuticals Division (R2bn
turnover) and Managing Executive of the Grains Division (R5bn turnover). In
addition to his executive responsibilities, he is also a member of the Group
Strategy team. He previously held a variety of positions in several South
African companies. He is a chartered accountant and a commerce graduate from the
University of Johannesburg and participated in the Harvard Business School
management development programme in 1995.
He replaces Rick Hogben, who will be retiring as Managing Director and CEO of
Afrox after six years and 13 years with the company. Rick was previously
Managing Director of Afrox Healthcare Limited, the hospital group which Afrox
exited in 2005, and joined Afrox from the SABMiller group in 1994.
Afrox Chairman, Kent Masters, executive board member of Afrox`s parent company
The Linde Group, commented: "Rick has led Afrox for the last six years and I`d
like to pay tribute to his drive, energy and professionalism throughout that
time. In Tjaart, I believe we have a worthy successor. He has successfully led a
number of high growth businesses in South Africa and also has wide experience of
working within international groups. Afrox is well positioned for growth over
the next few years and I`m very confident that Tjaart will build on that in the
future."
Afrox remains committed to achieving above average growth for its shareholders,
built on the back of excellence in customer service and the industry`s strongest
brand and national distribution network. Afrox operates in South Africa and in
16 other countries in Africa, and is the leader in the markets it serves. It
celebrates its 80th year this year, and its 44th since listing on the JSE in
1963.
Further information:
Chris Fieldgate Office: 011- 490 0430
Cell: 082 495 1481
Simon Miller Office: 011- 490 0466
Cell: 082 891 5149
Date: 18/01/2007 11:56:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.