HWI Appoints Tom Richter Senior Director, Strategic Business Technology

HarbisonWalker International (HWI), the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the U.S., announced today that Tom Richter has been appointed to a new role at HWI as Senior Director, Strategic Business Technology.

In his new role, Richter will create the environment and systems to lead HWI’s newly-created Business Technology Council (BTC), a cross-functional team that will champion new business technology platforms for HWI. The team will focus on technology platform areas such as automation, analytics, and materials science, in support of business growth for HWI and its customers.

“The initiative is a logical next step in HWI’s continued commitment to innovation and global industry leadership,” said Dr. Martha Collins, CTO, HarbisonWalker International. “With Tom’s broad knowledge of our industry and our company, he is well positioned to lead this important strategic role. Tom’s deep experience in both the business and the technology functions in our business give him unique expertise to rely on as he leads this initiative for growth at HWI.”

Richter, a 25-year veteran of the company, recently returned to the US after residing in the UK and successfully serving in the role of General Manager of Europe and the Middle East for HWI. He began his career as a Senior Research Engineer. He quickly progressed through numerous roles including Technology Group Leader, Monolithics; Market Development Manager, Secondary Steelmaking; Director of Research; Marketing Managing Director; and then Director, Technical Marketing and Performance Contracts.