KINGSEY FALLS, QC, May 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Cascades Inc.
(TSX: CAS) announces the appointment of Mr. Hugues Simon as its new President and CEO.
Currently President of the Wood Products business at Resolute
Forest Products, Mr. Simon will assume his new role no later than
July 1, 2024. The appointment follows an extensive succession
planning and recruitment process, supported by an international
firm, in anticipation of Mario
Plourde's planned retirement. After more than 11 years
at the helm of the Company, Mr. Plourde will support the new
President and CEO during a transition period lasting until
December 2024, after which he will act as a Special
Advisor.
A graduate in administration from the Université de Sherbrooke, Hugues
Simon has over 30 years of experience in key positions
in the manufacturing sector, including as President, of the Wood
Products business at Resolute Forest Products. Previously, Mr.
Simon was President of BarretteWood Inc., where he worked from 2012
to 2020.
"We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Hugues as
President and CEO," said Patrick
Lemaire, Chairman of Cascades' Board of Directors. "His
extensive experience in leadership positions in the industrial
products sector will be a great asset to the Company and to our
customers. His track record demonstrates a deep commitment to
operational excellence, and we have full confidence that his
expertise and experience will contribute to Cascades' ongoing
success and create value for our shareholders."
"It is with great humility that I am joining the team at
Cascades, a company with both a rich history and deeply ingrained
values. I am proud to join a company that is recognized as a
pioneer in recycling and the circular economy committed to
innovation and a client-centric approach, all of which is reflected
in the quality of its products and its people," said Hugues Simon. "I look forward to working with
all the employees and continuing the important work begun under
Mario's leadership, ensuring the Company's long-term growth and
value creation. I would like to thank Cascades' Board of Directors
for their confidence."
"It is with great emotion that I am announcing my retirement
after nearly 40 years at Cascades. It has been a great
privilege to work with the Lemaire family and the entire Cascades
team. I am leaving with the knowledge that the Company is in
an excellent position as it embarks on this new chapter," stated
Mario Plourde, President and CEO of
Cascades. "I would like to thank the Board of Directors, the
management team, our shareholders, and all our employees for their
unwavering dedication. The time has come for me to pass the torch,
and I am confident that Hugues' expertise and experience will
enable him to successfully lead Cascades."
"On behalf of Cascades employees and the Board of Directors, I
would like to thank Mario for his outstanding leadership over the
past 11 years as President and CEO, and for his exceptional
tenure at Cascades. Mario is a visionary who has contributed
greatly to building Cascades into the company it is today. Under
his leadership, the Company implemented an essential strategic
refocus and modernized its asset base, management tools, and
business processes. Several major projects were also successfully
completed, including Cascades' largest investment ever: the
Bear Island project in
Virginia. Thanks to him, Cascades
is well positioned for the future, and I am delighted to be able to
continue to count on his experience during this transitional
stage," added Mr. Lemaire.
Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative and
value-added packaging, hygiene and recovery solutions. The Company
employs 10,000 talents across a network close to 70
facilities in North America. Driven by its participative
management, half a century of experience in recycling, and
continuous research and development efforts, Cascades continues to
provide innovative products that customers have come to rely on,
while contributing to the well-being of people, communities and the
entire planet. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol CAS.
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SOURCE Cascades Canada ULC.