Basel, Switzerland, 10 May 2016 – Lonza today announced that its Board of Directors appointed Rodolfo Savitzky as new Chief Financial Officer for Lonza. In this function he will be succeeding Toralf Haag, who after 11 years of service for Lonza accepted an offer from the Voith Group in Germany to become their new CFO and member of the Corporate Board of Management. The change will be effective as of 1 October 2016, when Rodolfo Savitzky will also succeed Toralf Haag as a member of the Lonza Executive Committee.
Rodolfo Savitzky (54) joined Lonza in March 2015 as Head of Finance & Controlling for the Pharma&Biotech segment. Previously he was Chief Financial Officer for the Animal Health Division of Novartis. Prior to this position, Rodolfo Savitzky held various financial management positions with increasing responsibilities at Novartis and Procter & Gamble. He holds an MBA in Finance/Economics from the University of Chicago. With his broad financial and industry background, his thorough understanding of Lonza’s strategic direction and his contributions to the Pharma&Biotech segment, Rodolfo Savitzky brings the necessary skillset to his new position.
Toralf Haag joined Lonza in 2005 as CFO and since then successfully led the financial organization of Lonza. He was significantly involved in the strategic development of Lonza and managed M&A projects successfully, as well as refinancing projects and the deleveraging of the company.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Toralf for the services he has provided to this company. He led the finance department vigilantly and managed to steer the financial activities of Lonza successfully also through difficult times. Today he can hand over a financially solid company with a healthy balance sheet,” said Lonza CEO Richard Ridinger. “With Rodolfo Savitzky we found an excellent internal solution; and with the handover in early October, we can benefit from a well-planned and thought-through handover process, in which Toralf will continue to support a number of important projects.”
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world’s leading and most-trusted suppliers to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We harness science and technology to create products that support safer and healthier living and that enhance the overall quality of life.
Not only are we a custom manufacturer and developer, Lonza also offers services and products ranging from active pharmaceutical ingredients and stem-cell therapies to drinking water sanitizers, from the vitamin B3 compounds and organic personal care ingredients to agricultural products, and from industrial preservatives to microbial control solutions that combat dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.
Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today is a well-respected global company with more than 40 major manufacturing and R&D facilities and approximately 9,800 full-time employees worldwide. The company generated sales of CHF 3.8 billion in 2015 and is organized into two market-focused segments: Pharma&Biotech and Specialty Ingredients. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
Lonza Contact Information
Lonza Group Ltd
Head Investor Relations
Dirk Oehlers
Tel +41 61 316 8540
Fax +41 61 316 9540
dirk.oehlers@lonza.com
Lonza Group Ltd
Head Corporate Communications
Dominik Werner
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9540
dominik.werner@lonza.com
Lonza Group Ltd
Head External Communications
Constance Ward
Tel +41 61 316 8840
Fax +41 61 316 9840
constance.ward@lonza.com
Rodolfo Savitzky (54) joined Lonza in March 2015 as Head of Finance & Controlling for the Pharma&Biotech segment. Previously he was Chief Financial Officer for the Animal Health Division of Novartis. Prior to this position, Rodolfo Savitzky held various financial management positions with increasing responsibilities at Novartis and Procter & Gamble. He holds an MBA in Finance/Economics from the University of Chicago. With his broad financial and industry background, his thorough understanding of Lonza’s strategic direction and his contributions to the Pharma&Biotech segment, Rodolfo Savitzky brings the necessary skillset to his new position.
Toralf Haag joined Lonza in 2005 as CFO and since then successfully led the financial organization of Lonza. He was significantly involved in the strategic development of Lonza and managed M&A projects successfully, as well as refinancing projects and the deleveraging of the company.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Toralf for the services he has provided to this company. He led the finance department vigilantly and managed to steer the financial activities of Lonza successfully also through difficult times. Today he can hand over a financially solid company with a healthy balance sheet,” said Lonza CEO Richard Ridinger. “With Rodolfo Savitzky we found an excellent internal solution; and with the handover in early October, we can benefit from a well-planned and thought-through handover process, in which Toralf will continue to support a number of important projects.”
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world’s leading and most-trusted suppliers to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We harness science and technology to create products that support safer and healthier living and that enhance the overall quality of life.
Not only are we a custom manufacturer and developer, Lonza also offers services and products ranging from active pharmaceutical ingredients and stem-cell therapies to drinking water sanitizers, from the vitamin B3 compounds and organic personal care ingredients to agricultural products, and from industrial preservatives to microbial control solutions that combat dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.
Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today is a well-respected global company with more than 40 major manufacturing and R&D facilities and approximately 9,800 full-time employees worldwide. The company generated sales of CHF 3.8 billion in 2015 and is organized into two market-focused segments: Pharma&Biotech and Specialty Ingredients. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
Lonza Contact Information
Lonza Group Ltd
Head Investor Relations
Dirk Oehlers
Tel +41 61 316 8540
Fax +41 61 316 9540
dirk.oehlers@lonza.com
Lonza Group Ltd
Head Corporate Communications
Dominik Werner
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9540
dominik.werner@lonza.com
Lonza Group Ltd
Head External Communications
Constance Ward
Tel +41 61 316 8840
Fax +41 61 316 9840
constance.ward@lonza.com
