Rexel, the world's largest electrical distributor, has named Jean-Charles Pauze as its new chairman and CEO. He succeeds Alain Redheuil, who headed the U.S operations of Rexel for the past six years. Redheuil is leaving to pursue other interests, the company said.
While Redheuil headed Rexel, the company acquired several companies in the United States, including well-known names such as Branch Group Inc. and its affiliates, including Branch Electric Supply Co., Upper Marlboro, Md.; Westburne Inc., St. Laurent, Quebec; Norcal Electric Supply Inc., Redding, Calif., and Valley Electric Co. of Stockton, Calif.
His replacement is no stranger to the acquisition game. While chairman of the management board of Guilbert, an office supply company that is estimated to be about one-fourth the size of Rexel, he speerheaded many acquisitions. Pauze also helped strengthen the company's position in Europe.
“Jean-Charles Pauze has driven many projects and strengthened the company's leading position in Europe through an active organic growth strategy and selective external growth,” said a company spokesperson. As the head of Rexel in the United States, he is expected to continue to grow the company externally “but will be more selective,” Rexel said. Organic growth will continue.
Pauze started his career with Total (now known as Total Fina Elf) in 1971 and went on to work with Alfa Laval in France in the industrial division, where he was head of marketing and financial control from 1974 to 1976 before becoming sales director and CEO from 1981 to 1984. He was then appointed CEO of Bran & Luebbe, Alfa Laval's German subsidiary. He joined the Strafor Facom Group in 1986 as chairman and CEO of Clestra-Hausermann. In 1991, he was appointed chairman and CEO of Steelcase Strafor.
As Rexel's chairman and CEO, Pauze will be charged with continuing to drive the sales teams as well as adjusting cost structures, the company said.
Pauze also has international background, the spokesperson said. He knows Asia very well and he lived in the United States for several years. When he became chairman of Guilbert, the company was a family business. His main goals are to “boost the commercial dynamism and to renew the focus on cost-cutting,” said the company spokesperson.
Rexel, a subsidiary of Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, has 1,860 sales outlets in 32 countries and 24,000 employees.