Barentz appoints Lars Schneider as new EMEA CEO

Barentz International B.V. has announced the appointment of Lars Schneider as the new chief executive officer (CEO) for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, effective October 1, 2024. Schneider will also join the Barentz Board as part of his new role.

Schneider brings more than two decades of industry experience, having held various leadership roles at Brenntag, including president, Specialties Americas, and global president, Material Science, and Specialties North America. His extensive strategic and international expertise will be instrumental in driving Barentz’s growth and innovation in the EMEA region. Schneider, who holds a degree in Economics and an MBA, will relocate from Ontario, Canada, to the Netherlands for this new position.

Terry Hill, interim CEO of Barentz, expressed confidence in Schneider’s ability to strengthen the company’s position in the EMEA market, stating, “With Lars on board, we will strengthen our position and further support our business growth in the EMEA region. We warmly welcome Lars and his deep industry knowledge to our team. We are confident that under his strategic vision and leadership, the EMEA region will continue to thrive and reach new heights.”

Schneider, incoming CEO for EMEA, added: “I am honoured to join Barentz and to lead the EMEA region toward continued success. This is a dynamic time for the industry, and I look forward to leveraging the strengths of Barentz talented teams to drive innovation and growth. My focus will be on fostering collaboration, enhancing our principal and customer relationships, and building on the strong foundation that Barentz has established in the region over its more than 70-year history.”

Barentz, established in 1953, is a global leader in specialty ingredients solutions, with operations in more than 70 countries and a turnover of approximately EUR2.4 billion (USD2.65 billion). The company employs around 2,700 people worldwide and serves more than 27,000 customers.