The European PVC Window Profile and Related Building Products Association (EPPA, Brussels / Belgium; www.eppa-profiles.org) has elected Andreas Hartleif its new president. The 44-year old board member of window profile manufacturer Veka (Sendenhorst / Germany; www.veka.de) has been a member of the association’s steering committee since its founding. Hartleif will replace Marco von Maltzan, CEO of profine (Troisdorf / Germany; www.profine-group.com). His presidential term has been fixed to two years.

Following his appointment, Hartleif emphasised the importance of representing industry interests to political decision-makers, adding that “with more than 20,000 jobs and almost EUR 5 bn in revenues, our economic prowess lends us the necessary clout.” During his term, Hartleif also plans to work on harmonising the different European quality standards for PVC window profiles.

Albert Vasseur, director of the Plastics Converting business unit of Tessenderlo (Brussels / Belgium; www.tessenderlo.com) was elected EPPA vice president, while Deceuninck’s (Hooglede-Gits / Belgium; www.deceuninck.com) Ludo Debever was appointed the association’s treasurer.