Asbjørn Berge, CEO of Vest-Wood A/S, has announced his intention to retire from the executive board of Vest-Wood A/S, the Danish-based door manufacturing group.  He has played a significant role in the construction of the Vest-Wood Group and has been employed in the Group for 24 years.  

Mr. Berge started his career in the Group in 1983 and in 1986 he became a shareholder in the company. In 1990 he joined Vest-Wood’s executive board and since 2002 has served as the CEO for the Group.

Asbjørn Berge has informed the board of directors that he wishes to reduce his workload gradually and will continue as CEO during a period of transition and until a new CEO assumes full responsibility for the Group 1 July 2007.

Mr. Berge stated: ”It has been an incredibly exciting and worth-while development that I have gone through with Vest-Wood. At the same time I must admit that my working life has filled most of my time, and I have a wish to get more private time, which will be possible now. ”  

Mr. Berge will also continue to assist the Group in the completion or transition of various current projects.

Dan Malicki, Door Group President of JELD-WEN, inc., which acquired Vest-Wood A/S in February of 2006, commented that Mr. Berge’s contribution to the Vest-Wood Group through the years, has been significant, playing a key role in the Group’s market growth and status in the market. We thank Asbjørn for his many years of dedicated service with Vest-Wood, and particularly for his leadership since becoming part of the JELD-WEN Group.

With Mr. Berge’s retirement from day to day activities, the remaining executive management team, which has served the company for many years, will continue in place with expanded responsibilities.  

Jens Bach Mortensen, a 13-year senior manager and currently the Chief Operations Officer and a member of the company’s Executive Board, will become the Group’s CEO effective July 1.

Ole Madsen, a 12-year senior manager and currently the Chief Financial Officer and a member of the company’s Executive Board, will continue in the capacity of CFO and become a Senior Vice President with expanded corporate administration responsibilities.

The Group’s executive management team will be rounded out with Christian Frisk, who has been with Vest-Wood for 8 years.  He currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer and a member of the company’s Executive Board. He will continue in the capacity of CCO and become a Senior Vice President with the Group.

“While it is always challenging to see a longtime leader make the decision to retire, we are fortunate to have in place such a strong Executive Management team, talented and promotable Group Directors and a strong overall organization,” stated Mr. Malicki.

Dan Malicki,
Door Group President, JELD-WEN, inc.
Member of Supervisory Board, Vest-Wood A/S