Shell takes a novel turn

Shell Thailand’s choice for its new head has broken a lot of records for the company in Thailand. Pissawan Achanapornkul, formerly in charge of Shell lubricants in the country, is Shell Thailand’s new chairperson, effective January 1, 2009. She is the first female to lead the company in its 116 years in the kingdom and is also the third Thai national to lead Royal Dutch P.L.C.’s local unit. This year, Achanapornkul said, the firm will be making a major offensive in terms of innovative technology in the shape of the new V Power benzene for petrol engines and Helix engine oil for natural gas-powered vehicles. Shell Thailand currently operates five business units: retail, industrial and commercial fuel sales, lubricants, bitumen, products for ships and aviation fuel for international carriers. (March 20, 2009)