Richmond-based Catalyst Paper Corp. (TSX:CTL) announced late Wednesday it had appointed industry veteran Kevin Clarke as its new president and CEO three weeks after Richard Garneau left the post to move closer to his family in Eastern Canada.
Clarke has nearly three decades of experience with World Color Press Inc., which was formerly known as Quebecor World Inc. before emerging from creditor protection last year.
Most recently, Clarke was president of World Color Press’ publishing services group, which has 7,500 employees and 20 manufacturing facilities producing a billion books and 1,600 magazine titles annually.
Garneau had announced his resignation as Catalyst president and CEO in late January.
Clarke, whose appointment takes effect June 21, oversaw major restructuring, plant closures and revenue growth at World Color Press.
U.S. printer Quad/Graphics Inc. announced last January it was acquiring Montreal-based World Color Press in one of the industry’s largest mergers ever. The estimated billion dollar plus deal is expected to close this summer.
BIV previously reported on Garneau’s departure and the management shakeup that followed at Catalyst, which is one of North America’s largest producers of specialty paper, newsprint and pulp. (“Catalyst names interim leader, shores up board” – issue 1076, June 8-14, 2010)