Mikko Keto is set to join FLSmidth as President, Mining Industry, less than two weeks after leaving his post as President of Minerals Services and Pumps at Metso.

Keto, who will embark on his new role from early July 2020, will also become a member of the Group Executive Management team at FLSmidth. The appointment follows current President, Mining Industry, Manfred Schaffer’s decision to retire in 2020.

Keto worked for Metso for 10 years, the last two of which he headed up the Minerals Services and Pumps business area, where he delivered growth in services along with profitability improvement, FLSmidth said. He also served as a member of the company’s Executive Team.

His prior roles for Metso include Senior Vice President, Spare Parts, Senior Vice President of Performance Services business line, President of Automation Services, Vice President of Flow Control Services, and various line management positions. Before joining Metso, he was Head of Sales for the Maintenance business unit at KONE Corp and held senior management and sales positions at Nokia Networks, with assignments in multiple countries.

FLSmidth CEO, Thomas Schulz, said: “Mikko Keto will lead the FLSmidth Mining organisation in capturing profitable business opportunities. He comes with an extensive experience in Service Line Management, Spare Parts and lifecycle offerings. He brings a strong commitment to customer partnerships, and believes strongly in delivering significant enhancements in performance, sustainability and asset optimisation.”

Keto said: “I am excited to join FLSmidth and help drive profitable growth in the mining business and further develop FLSmidth’s portfolio of solutions towards zero emissions. FLSmidth has close to 140 years’ experience, excellent technologies and outstanding competencies in its global workforce.”

On the retirement of Manfred Schaffer, Schulz said: “Since joining FLSmidth in 2014, Manfred Schaffer helped navigate an extended mining industry downturn and led the mining organisation through the transition to a new way of working. In the face of market headwinds, Manfred travelled extensively in order to meet with as many customers as possible and support sales opportunities. I am very thankful for Manfred’s strong contribution to our mining business over the last five years.”