ROCOL expands leadership team

Andrew Hemingway joins as commercial director from his previous role leading the commercial arm of venture capital-owned specialist engineering business, James Heal. 

Gil Woodward takes up the role of operations director, responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of health and safety, operations, and sourcing strategies across the division. 

ROCOL is a market leader in the manufacture of high performance lubricants for some of the most challenging operations and applications in industry. The company’s industrial lubricants, cutting fluids and line marking systems are used by engineers across the globe in the industrial, food processing, metalworking, aerospace, site safety and heavy industry sectors. 

Part of ITW, a multinational, US owned, Fortune 150 company, ROCOL is one of ten companies in the ITW Fluids Europe division that Andrew and Gil will be responsible for in their new roles.

Andrew brings a wealth of commercial experience to the business from UK and international positions. During 13 years with speciality glass business, SCHOTT, Andrew spent nine years in the USA and four years in Germany working in commercial, sales and marketing roles. He returned to the UK in 2015 to take up the commercial director position at precision testing equipment manufacturer James Heal. 

At ROCOL, he will lead a combined sales, marketing, and product management function, developing the commercial strategy to increase market share and deliver continued growth across the ITW Fluids Europe business. 

Gil Woodward joins the business from his previous role as operations director at specialty tape manufacturing business Advance Tapes, based in the UK and France. His previous roles include manufacturing manager at Accolade Wines and CI Expert with GSK. He will lead the Fluids Europe operations function and will be responsible for the on-going development and implementation of the health and safety, operations, and sourcing strategies for the division. 

ITW Fluids Europe Vice President and General Manager Filippo Pasquini says, “We have a great business, products and people and, at a time when others are cutting back, we are investing in our customers, innovation and growth. Andrew and Gil will bring real dynamism to the business and help us re-establish our credentials in a global market as a high-performing, innovative and customer-centric company.”

Andrew Hemingway says, “From the outset I was impressed by the ambition within ROCOL and the wider ITW Fluids Europe group. The business has unique strengths, a strong business model and a proud history, and I look forward to working with the team to execute on the company’s priorities, accelerate growth and enhance value for shareholders and stakeholders.”

Gil Woodward adds, “I’m excited by the breadth of technologies and applications I’ve seen so far. This is a great business, full of great people, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to help shape its future. My focus will be on ensuring that we are the first choice for our customers and partners, and a leader in the industries we serve.”

For more information, visit www.rocol.com