The appointment of David Zheng as the new sales manager for Asia-Pacific and the opening of the new Asian regional office in Hong Kong reflect Alba’s commitment to capitalising on the region’s emerging markets which present a growth opportunity, said Alba chief executive Laurent Schmitt.

“David Zheng’s experience in the aluminium industry over a span of two decades will prove crucial in meeting Alba’s vision. We are confident that he - along with his team - will play a leading role in expanding Alba’s presence in the Asia Pacific market and we wish them all success,” Schmitt said.

“Zheng will oversee growth and development in this key marketing territory and, along with his team, support initiatives that help in expanding Alba’s product portfolio footprint in Asia,” he added.

He will be based at Alba’s office in Hong Kong, and will be reporting directly to chief marketing officer Jean Baptiste Lucas. Zheng earlier worked as managing director of Alcan International Network China Ltd, Alcan International Network Shanghai Ltd and Alcan International Network India Ltd, with responsibilities over China and India. Prior to this position, he worked for Pechiney Far East Ltd as senior sales manager.

In 2010, Asia accounted for most international sales at 19 per cent. Next was Europe with 18 per cent.

Bahrain University’s engineering students briefed on on Alba’s work processes

This is the second major regional appointment in recent months. Last June, Alba announced it had opened its new European sales office in Zurich with Boris Santosi as the new sales manager.

Expertise shared

Meanwhile, in other Alba news, the company shared its expertise in high-grade aluminium production with an eight-member student delegation from the University of Bahrain (UOB)’s College of Engineering during its visit to the smelter.

The student delegation, drawn from the Instrumentation and Control department, was accompanied by the associate professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Nour Eddine Mansour. 

They were given an insight into the calibration of industrial instrumentation as well as into some of the best practices deployed across Alba that had strengthened the company’s reputation as one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters.

Commenting on the visit, Schmitt, said: “It was a privilege to welcome the students to the Alba plant, and share our expertise. The students were able to learn of Alba’s growth in the past 40 years and its experience in emerging as one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters.”

The UOB delegation was later given a tour of the different facilities, in particular, a visit to the Workshops & Maintenance Services department. They were also briefed on the company’s commitment to safety and adherence to quality and its many achievements in protecting the environment.

inJAz Bahrain delegation

Alba’s commitment to empower the next generation of Bahrainis with career skills was bolstered when the company welcomed to its plant recently a group of 32 students from inJAz Bahrain’s Job Shadow Programme.

The students were received by Alba’s human resources manager, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Janah. There was a brief presentation on the scope of the Job Shadow Programme launched by inJAz Bahrain.

They were later taken to various departments within Alba with their nominated mentors who gave them insights on the jobs they do.

Alba is one of seven prominent companies in Bahrain partnering with inJAz Bahrain for the Job Shadow Programme. The scheme is aimed at providing students with opportunities to grasp fundamental business concepts such as, competition, markets, investment, costs, benefits, incentives, specialisation and income. Apart from dedicated classroom learning sessions, students are exposed to the workplace environment through day-long visits to pre-selected companies.

Commenting on Alba’s support for the Job Shadow Programme and the visit of the student delegation to the plant, Schmitt said: “One of the primary benefits of inJAz Bahrain’s Job Shadow Programme is the enabling of young students to get a taste of the work environment by watching their mentors at work and listening to what they have to share about the work they do. This hands-on approach will provide these young students with a better insight on how to prepare themselves for the work environment. Alba is proud to support such initiatives that enable young Bahrainis to embrace their chosen careers with the necessary skills to realise their potential and emerge successful.”

inJAz Bahrain’s mission is to inspire and prepare young Bahrainis to succeed in a global economy. It is a member of the worldwide organisation Junior Achievement.