Aços Villares draws new executive from Spain

São Paulo-based specialty steelmaker Aços Villares named José Joaquín Salazar Paternain as director of the company, a spokeswoman told BNamericas. The board approved Paternain's appointment at a meeting February 10. Paternain's duties at Latin America's largest specialty steel manufacturer are yet to be clarified, the spokeswoman said. Aços Villares has installed annual production capacity of 650,000t of finished products. Spanish steel giant Sidenor controls Aços Villares with a 58.4% stake in the company. Paternain joins fellow Spaniard José María Montero, chairman of Aços Villares board of directors, in Brazil. Montero took charge of Aços Villares after Sidenor's purchase of the company in 2000.