Glen Mills-based Axalta Coating Systems, a global coatings company, recently named Chris Villavarayan as the company’s next president and CEO, effective Jan. 1.
Villavarayan, who will also serve as a member of Axalta’s board of directors, previously served as president and CEO of Meritor, a provider of commercial vehicle drivetrains and engineered systems. He also served on the company’s board of directors and as its COO. He also was senior vice president and president of global truck at P&L.
In addition, Villavarayan is the Franklin Electric and Focus: HOPE, a Detroit-based non-profit organization, director on the board.
“I am eager to leverage my experience to build on the team’s work to position the business for accelerated growth and market leadership,” Villavarayan said. “I look forward to working alongside the Board, Axalta’s management, and the global team to lead the company toward realizing its strategic value to benefit all our stakeholders.”
Rakesh Sachdev had most recently been serving as interim president and CEO, and he will succeed Bill Cook as non-executive board chairman. Cook will become the Compensation Committee chairman. He also serves on the Audit Committee and as an independent director.
Axalta provides coatings for vehicles, electric motors, building facades, and other industrial applications.