ANTWERP, Belgium – Azelis, a Pan-European specialty chemicals distributor headquarter in Antwerp, Belgium, has appointed Michel Vandermeiren Regional Managing Director for Benelux & France. Vandermeiren joins Azelis from Univar, where he was Managing Director Benelux.

Vandermeiren’s responsibilities will include driving the group strategy throughout the Benelux region and the delivery of each of the International Business Directors' commercial plans. He will also take ultimate accountability for the region’s financial results.

Vandermeiren succeeds Rémi Magniere who has been Managing Director since 2003 and who played a significant role in the structural modernization of the company. Azelis will continue to rely upon Magniere’s further support on specific projects until his retirement at the end of 2011.