Birla appoints John Loudermilk as CEO

Mumbai, India – Birla Carbon appointed its chief operating officer John Loudermilk as chief executive officer, effective 1 Aug.

As CEO, Loudermilk will lead all aspects of Birla Carbon, part of the Indian Aditya Birla Group, said a company statement 9 Aug.

"Birla Carbon has been on a transformation journey for the last few years and John has played a pivotal role in leading this change,” said Dr Santrupt Misra, group director, carbon black; director, chemicals; and director, group HR of Aditya Birla Group.

With “deep insights” into workings of global business and understanding of the carbon black industry, Loudermilk is expected to lead Birla Carbon through “the next stage of its growth, premised on innovation and purpose,” he added.

In his previous role as COO, Loudermilk played a key part in shaping Birla Carbon to be a 'dynamic and sustainable manufacturer' through increased focus on customers and innovation.

According to Birla, he has been “instrumental” in leading the company through many of its recent initiatives, including the launch of the Continua brand of sustainable carbonaceous materials. 

Loudermilk, Birla said, is a “seasoned leader” in the chemicals industry with more than 30 years of experience, including 16 years in the carbon black business.

He joined Birla Carbon as director, global operations, in 2005. In 2008, he was appointed VP global operations, with the responsibility for global manufacturing facilities, corporate engineering, quality, and six-sigma. 

He also took over the responsibility for the North America business as regional president and led the technology and strategy efforts. In 2016, Loudermilk assumed the additional responsibility of president of the Europe and Africa region and in 2017, he was appointed COO.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.