Incoming BHP Billiton chief says focus will be on costs, productivity

Sydney, Australia (4E) – Andrew MacKenzie, BHP Billiton’s incoming chief executive officer, said Sunday that he will place emphasis on costs and productivity when he starts running the world’s biggest mining company in May.

The Anglo-Australian miner said on Wednesday that outgoing chief executive Marius Kloppers will leave his post on May 10 as it also announced a 58 per cent decline in first-half net profit to $4.2bn.

MacKenzie, who currently heads BHP’s non-ferrous business unit, said that Kloppers will leave the company in great shape and with proper systems in place to push for a productivity agenda. He, however, wants to ensure that momentum is maintained.

Mackenzie said he wants to continue his predecessor’s success in the application of modern management techniques and technology to make sure the company develops sustainably, safely and in a way that it can supply the world’s requirements.

Kloppers. who is six years in the job, says increased productivity is essential to be competitive as demand for resources from China declines. He also said the company did not force him to step down, adding that there is a succession planning in place since he took over the position.

The 56-year-old, Scotland-born Mackenzie has three decades of experience in oil, gas, minerals and petrochemicals. In November 2008, he joined BHP Billiton after being recruited by Kloppers.

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