Sources: AltusGroup; CP staff
Katherine Klosowski-Blatz has succeeded John Carson as executive director of the AltusGroup, a collaborative of 13 North American precast concrete producers whose 27 operations are licensed to fabricate CarbonCast brand and other premium architectural or structural elements. She arrives with a track record of driving innovation, portfolio life cycle management, operational excellence pursuits, and implementing change management.
“Katherine’s blend of product development, strategic thinking and organizational expertise will help guide us at a pivotal time for our organization,” says AltusGroup Chairman Tony Smith. “We are innovating precast technologies that can give the building team more options with systems integration, continuous insulation and options for reducing our products’ carbon footprints. Her experience guiding product development while enhancing collaboration will enable us to leverage the strengths of our members to benefit AltusGroup and customers across the building team.”
Klosowski-Blatz spent the majority of her 27-year career with MBCC Group predecessor BASF Construction Chemicals/Construction Systems, formerly Huls America and Degussa Building Systems. She held various leadership positions, including global director of Commercial Data Excellence, global director of Virtual Design and Construction, Asia Pacific Region head of Construction Systems, and regional manager for Product Development and Marketing. Klosowski-Blatz likewise brings a wealth of leadership experience from professional organizations, topped by respective president and chairman terms for the International Concrete Repair Institute and ASTM Committee Subcommittee D01.47 on Concrete, Stone and Masonry Treatments Matching Standards.
She assumes a post Carson held for 12 years, following a decade as AltusGroup director. He oversaw a dramatic expansion of the organization’s coast-to-coast presence in the United States and Canada, helping grow the market presence of the flagship CarbonCast technology, where a carbon fiber grid serves as a wythe connector in insulated precast wall panels.
BELGIAN OPERATOR NAMED INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATE
C-concrete, a unit of Belgian construction powerhouse Cordeel Group NV, has joined AltusGroup as an International Affiliate, licensed to produce CarbonCast Enclosure System elements in its European market area. C-concrete Managing Director Michel Catteau will be the primary point of contact for AltusGroup interaction. The producer has specialized teams working in climate-controlled areas fitted with ultramodern equipment to fabricate and finish high-standard precast concrete.
“The benefits of CarbonCast enclosure technology—improved strength, better insulation and lighter weight—are perfectly aligned with the progressive architectural movement in Europe,” says AltusGroup Chairman Tony Smith. “C-concrete’s experience with walls, façade panels, insulated sandwich panels and brick veneer panels will enable it to integrate CarbonCast technology into existing enclosure platforms to produce highly sustainable, low carbon footprint wall assemblies to satisfy European market needs.”