Houghton International Inc. recently announced changes in organizational leadership that will improve the management and alignment of its global businesses.

Mike Shannon, executive vice president of global operations at Houghton International and president of Houghton Asia Pacific, has been appointed to the additional and newly created role of chief operating officer (COO), responsible for all commercial and operational activities.

“Mike has a long and proven track record of leading global industrial chemicals businesses,” said Paul DeVivo, Houghton chief executive officer. “At Houghton, he has led operations in the emerging Asia Pacific markets to achieve record performance, and he has directed the optimization of global manufacturing, information technology and environmental, health and safety (EHS) processes. This legacy of leadership will enable Mike to successfully assume the additional responsibilities of the company’s commercial and technical operations as COO.”

Shannon joined Houghton as vice president of global operations, supply chain, IT and EHS in 2009. Prior to joining Houghton, he spent 24 years in various roles at Ashland Inc., including senior vice president of the company’s $1.5 billion Global Performance Materials Division and president of global supply chain as well as being appointed as an officer of Ashland. His experience also includes leadership roles in various functions at Ashland Specialty Chemicals, including manufacturing, business development, purchasing, M&A and strategic planning.

A native of West Chester, PA, Shannon earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Temple University. In addition, he has completed the General Manager Program at Harvard University, Executive Marketing Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business and the Executive Development Program at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business.

In addition, Steve Taylor, senior vice president of Houghton International and president of Houghton Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), has been appointed to the additional and newly created position of president, Global Metalworking Fluids (MWF). In this expanded role, he will continue to lead Houghton EMEA and will assume the global leadership of Houghton’s MWF business. His new responsibilities will include managing the business development, service, support and procedures across Houghton’s four regions, securing the collaboration necessary for effective global operations and growth in the MWF market.

“Steve’s track record of leading Houghton’s European operations to record performance, management of key business acquisitions and thorough knowledge of the MWF industry provide the background that will enable him to lead the MWF organization, in addition to the EMEA region, toward achieving strategic growth targets,” said DeVivo. 

Taylor joined Houghton as president of Houghton Europe in 2009 after a 15-year career with General Electric and GE Capital and several years leading chemical businesses for NCH Europe and Vita group in Europe. He holds a BSc (Hons) in materials science and engineering and a Diploma in Marketing (Dip M, CIM). He completed several GE executive management programs, including Crotonville MDC and GBMC, and is certified in Six Sigma.

Jeewat Bijlani, senior vice president of global marketing, business development and strategic planning at Houghton International, has been appointed to the additional role of president of Houghton Americas and the newly created position of president, Global Strategic Businesses. In these expanded roles, Bijlani will be responsible for managing the operations of the Americas region and the global oversight of Houghton’s steel, non-ferrous, metal finishing, offshore, and beverage containers business.

As a senior executive at Houghton, Bijlani has led the Global Strategic Accounts and FLUIDCARE businesses toward growth and profitability, and he has identified and completed several important acquisitions for the company. 

“Jeewat’s strong background in the chemicals and manufacturing industries, strategic focus, and track record of outstanding leadership and performance at Houghton will enable him to drive collaboration and growth in the Americas region as well as the company’s strategic businesses,” said DeVivo. 

Bijlani joined Houghton in 2011 after six years at Celerant Consulting, leading engagements for private equity funds in the Chemicals and Manufacturing sector, including Houghton’s Operational Excellence program and integration of DA Stuart and Shell MWF operations. Prior to Celerant, he held roles in strategic planning and business development at FFB/Green Seed Group and Holcim India Ltd.

Bijlani earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the University of Mumbai and an M.B.A. in international business from Thunderbird School of Global Management.