Evonik, a leading global specialty chemicals company, has appointed Guido Skudlarek as President of the North America region effective June 1, 2024, enhancing its local leadership team with top-level management expertise. Bonnie Tully, who has led the region since 2020, transitions to the role of Chief Operations Officer for North America, focusing on overseeing the region’s extensive network of production sites and driving new business developments.
“North America has emerged as a critical growth area for Evonik,” stated Maike Schuh, Chief Financial Officer and Evonik management board member responsible for the Americas. “I am delighted that Guido and Bonnie will bring their distinctive skill sets to propel our growth trajectory in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”
Skudlarek most recently served as Head of Operations Excellence at Evonik’s headquarters in Essen, Germany, where he led the design and implementation of global transformation programs in production and supply chain management. His previous roles included overseeing specialties within Evonik’s silica business and steering its overall growth strategy, including managing the antitrust review process for the acquisition of J.M. Huber Corp.’s silica business based in the U.S.
Skudlarek holds degrees in business administration and engineering from institutions in Germany and the U.K., with a doctorate from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He began his career in 2001 at McKinsey & Company before joining Evonik in 2013. “I am eager to collaborate with the region’s exceptional team to expand Evonik’s footprint in North America,” said Skudlarek.
Tully, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, brings over 30 years of experience with Evonik and its predecessors. In her new role, she will oversee operations in a region that generated €3.8 billion in revenue in fiscal 2023, representing a quarter of the Group’s total. “I have a deep passion for engineering, and I am enthusiastic about diving back into the operational intricacies of our esteemed company,” Tully remarked. She also serves as the Executive Sponsor of groW Americas, Evonik’s women’s Employee Resource Group.
Evonik operates more than 30 production sites across North America. In 2023, the company initiated the construction of a global-scale pharmaceutical lipid production facility in Lafayette, Indiana, supporting the development of cutting-edge medicines for conditions such as cancer. Additionally, in Mobile, Alabama, Evonik is constructing a plant to manufacture methyl mercaptan, a crucial intermediate in the production of methionine used in livestock farming. Meanwhile, in Charleston, South Carolina, Evonik is expanding its precipitated silica production plant by 50%, which is essential for sustainable tire manufacturing. Recently, Evonik also commenced production of ultra-high purity colloidal silica in Weston, Michigan, at a new facility vital for semiconductor production. These investments collectively amount to nearly half a billion dollars, underscoring Evonik’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in North America.
Supporting these production initiatives is Evonik’s Innovation Hub in Allentown, Pennsylvania, equipped with over 60 state-of-the-art testing and processing labs along with a pilot plant. Together, these strategic endeavors reinforce Evonik’s position as a leader in driving innovation and growth within the region and beyond.
