Aikawa Fiber Technologies (AFT) has appointed Jeff Hartman as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective February 18, 2025.
Hartman brings over 36 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, having been a key player in AFT Americas’ success since joining the company nine years ago.
In his new role, Hartman will oversee AFT’s global operations, with a focus on driving sustained growth, operational excellence, and the efficient implementation of best practices across the company’s international sites. He will also play a pivotal role in resource management and enhancing AFT’s global service and operational strategies.
“Jeff’s extensive industry experience and leadership skills will be crucial in strengthening AFT’s operational capabilities as we continue to expand globally,” said Ali Raheem, CEO of AFT. Hartman’s journey at AFT includes roles as Director of Services & Systems and Vice President and General Manager, Americas. Before joining AFT, he held leadership positions at major companies such as Westvaco Corp., Champion International, Buckeye Technologies Inc., and Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he honed his expertise in engineering, maintenance, operations, and project management.
“I am excited to step into my new role and contribute to AFT’s growth by further improving operational efficiency and fostering collaboration across our global teams,” Hartman said.
AFT is a global leader in providing advanced solutions for stock preparation, screening, refining, and paper machine approach flow systems, helping mills improve efficiency and sustainability while reducing energy, water, and chemical usage. For more information, aft-global.com.
