Deceuninck (Hooglede-Gits / Belgien; www.deceuninck.com), which has been dogged by weak earnings, has announced the appointment of Tom Debusschere to replace long-term CEO Clement de Meersman. It said de Meersman will continue to serve the company in an advisory function. Debusschere was previously director of marketing and distribution.

At the same time, Arnold Deceuninck will step down as chairman of the Deceuninck supervisory board. He will be replaced by Pierre Alain de Smedt, president of the Belgian automotive industry association.

Deceuninck is planning a rights issue to strengthen its capital structure and allow it to meet “unprecedented macroeconomic challenges,” the PVC profiles specialist said in December 2008 – see Plasteurope.com of 10.12.2008. For full year 2008, the company expects to show a loss on sales of EUR 620m (EUR 656.6m) – see Plasteurope.com of 19.01.2009. Results are due to be published on 12 March 2009.