Leadership Transition Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukrainian steel pipe and railway wheel manufacturer Interpipe has appointed Luca Zanotti as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership change as the company navigates the complex business environment created by Russia's full-scale invasion. The appointment comes after Andriy Korotkov, who has led the company since March 2022, successfully steered Interpipe through extraordinary wartime challenges. Rather than departing the organization, Korotkov will remain in a pivotal role as Chief Operating Officer, ensuring continuity in operations while allowing the company to benefit from Zanotti's international industry expertise. The leadership restructuring represents Interpipe's strategic effort to balance operational resilience with global market expansion despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Zanotti Brings Global Pipe Industry Expertise

Luca Zanotti joins Interpipe with impressive credentials in the global pipe industry, most notably serving in senior leadership positions at Tenaris, a world-leading supplier of tubes and related services for the energy industry. As President of Tenaris operations in both the United States and Europe, Zanotti developed deep expertise in international markets critical to Interpipe's export-oriented business model. His professional background spans procurement, management consulting, and business development across multiple continents, providing him with a global perspective on industry challenges and opportunities. An Italian citizen, Zanotti holds a master's degree in electronic engineering and is a graduate of the prestigious SDA Bocconi MBA program, bringing both technical knowledge and business acumen to his new role at the Ukrainian industrial giant.

Board Chairman Emphasizes Strategic Vision

Fadi Khraibe, Chairman of Interpipe's Board of Directors, expressed confidence that Zanotti's appointment would accelerate the company's growth trajectory and strengthen its position in international markets. "We are delighted to welcome Luca Zanotti as CEO of Interpipe. His extensive experience in the pipe industry and in-depth knowledge of key international markets will be a significant asset," Khraibe stated. The Board Chairman also acknowledged Korotkov's crucial contributions during the war period, noting his "unwavering leadership" in guiding the company through "an extremely challenging period in Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022." This balanced recognition highlights the company's dual focus on honoring resilience while positioning for future growth under new leadership.

Korotkov's Wartime Leadership Legacy

Andriy Korotkov assumed the CEO position at Interpipe in March 2022, just as Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His appointment came after the company terminated its contract with former CEO Franz Josef Marx due to the force majeure situation created by the war. Under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, including disrupted supply chains, energy shortages, and security threats to personnel and facilities, Korotkov maintained operational continuity at Interpipe's production sites. His leadership during this period has been widely credited with preserving the company's manufacturing capabilities and export relationships despite the war's devastating impact on Ukrainian industry. By transitioning to the COO role rather than departing, Korotkov ensures that his institutional knowledge and crisis management experience remain available to the organization.

Zanotti Outlines Vision for Interpipe

Upon accepting the CEO position, Zanotti expressed admiration for Interpipe's resilience and acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances facing the company. "I am honored to take on this position. Interpipe has consistently demonstrated resilience, competitiveness and strong potential," he stated. Zanotti specifically highlighted the company's human capital as its most impressive asset, noting "the strength and determination of its people, who continue to develop and promote the Company despite the extraordinary challenges caused by the war." This people-centric perspective suggests Zanotti recognizes that Interpipe's future success depends not only on strategic market positioning but also on supporting its workforce through ongoing wartime hardships. He expressed commitment to working closely with the existing team to drive growth that benefits "the company, its employees and local communities."

Interpipe's Strategic Importance to Ukrainian Economy

As one of Ukraine's largest industrial enterprises, Interpipe plays a crucial role in the country's export economy and manufacturing sector. The company specializes in seamless pipes for the oil and gas industry, line pipes for oil and gas transportation, industrial pipes, and railway wheels and axles. Before Russia's full-scale invasion, Interpipe employed approximately 11,000 people across its operations. The company's production facilities in Dnipro, Novomoskovsk, and Nikopol have faced significant challenges since 2022, including power outages, logistics disruptions, and market access difficulties. Despite these obstacles, Interpipe has maintained production, adapted to wartime conditions, and continued to serve international customers, demonstrating remarkable operational resilience that has made it a symbol of Ukrainian industrial perseverance.

Industry Challenges and Market Positioning

Zanotti takes the helm at Interpipe during a period of profound transformation in the global steel and pipe markets. Beyond the immediate challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, the industry faces structural shifts including decarbonization pressures, changing energy market dynamics, and evolving trade patterns. Interpipe's traditional export markets have included Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia, though Russian aggression has complicated logistics and forced adaptation of trade routes. The company's ability to maintain quality standards while navigating wartime constraints has helped preserve customer relationships, but competitive pressures remain intense. Zanotti's experience at Tenaris, particularly in navigating complex international markets and trade environments, positions him to help Interpipe address these multifaceted challenges while identifying new growth opportunities.

Looking Forward: Balancing Resilience and Growth

The leadership transition at Interpipe reflects a calculated balance between maintaining operational stability and positioning for future growth. By retaining Korotkov as COO while bringing in Zanotti's international expertise as CEO, the company creates a complementary leadership team with both crisis management experience and global market vision. This approach acknowledges the continuing challenges of operating in a wartime environment while refusing to limit the company's ambitions to mere survival. As Ukraine's industrial sector works to maintain production despite Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and supply chains, Interpipe's leadership model may offer a template for other Ukrainian companies seeking to balance resilience with strategic development. The company's ability to attract international executive talent despite the ongoing conflict also signals confidence in Ukraine's industrial future, even amid continuing wartime disruptions.

Key Takeaways:

• Luca Zanotti, former Tenaris executive with extensive international experience in the pipe industry, has been appointed CEO of Ukrainian industrial company Interpipe, bringing global market expertise to the war-challenged manufacturer.

• Andriy Korotkov, who led Interpipe since Russia's full-scale invasion in March 2022, will remain with the company as Chief Operating Officer, ensuring continuity in operations while the new CEO focuses on strategic growth.

• Interpipe's leadership transition demonstrates the company's dual focus on maintaining operational resilience during wartime while simultaneously positioning for future growth in international markets, highlighting Ukrainian industry's determination to persevere despite ongoing conflict.