Business News

Walter Schalka, CEO of Suzano Named RISI Latin American CEO of the Year

Wednesday 01. July 2015 - Walter Schalka, Chief Executive Officer of Suzano, has been named the 2015 Latin American CEO of the Year by RISI. The Award will be presented to Mr. Schalka at the Latin American Conference on August 18, 2015 in São Paulo, Brazil.

RISI’s Latin American CEO of the Year is nominated by a group of investment analysts and portfolio managers covering the Latin American and global pulp and paper industry. Amongst the reasons cited by RISI for the award, one analyst commented: “He changed the company’s culture to a cost/profitability focus, completed the Maranhão project and has been able to deleverage the company. This strategy has benefited both workers and shareholders.”
Another said: “For his ability to overcome difficulties, to change the company’s strategy; also he improved the organizational environment and united the employees, aligned objectives.”
RISI’s Latin American Conference will feature presentations from industry leaders and experts, along with RISI’s economists, who will give their outlooks for key segments of the Latin American and global forest products industry.
RISI’s Latin American CEO of the Year Award was first presented in 2007. RISI organizes four regional CEO awards each year for Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America, with the winner presented at the regional RISI conferences.