Metallus CEO Mike Williams to Retire; Westbrooks to Succeed

Metal Recycling News  |  2026-09-02 11:05:04   |   By

Williams will step down from both his CEO role and position on the Metallus board on December 31, 2026. However, he will remain as a special advisor to the CEO and board through June 30, 2027.

Summary
  • Metallus announces CEO transition: Michael S. Williams will retire as CEO and leave the Metallus board on December 31, 2026 after leading the specialty metals manufacturer through a period of operational and financial improvement.
  • Westbrooks to become CEO: Current President and COO Kristopher R. Westbrooks will assume the roles of president and CEO effective January 1, 2027. He joined Metallus in 2018 and has been instrumental in shaping the company's financial and operating strategies.
  • Focus on long-term growth: The leadership transition follows a formal succession-planning process aligned with Metallus' growth strategy. Under Williams, the company improved profitability, strengthened operations, exercised greater capital-spending discipline and expanded its presence in aerospace and defense markets.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Metallus, a Canton, OH-based leading manufacturer of high-performance specialty metals from recycled scrap metal, has announced a leadership transition.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Michael S. Williams is set to retire at the end of 2026. Kristopher R. Westbrooks, the company's current president and chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO effective January 1, 2027, said a company news release.

Williams will step down from both his CEO role and position on the Metallus board on December 31, 2026. However, he will remain as a special advisor to the CEO and board through June 30, 2027.

The company said the change follows a detailed succession planning process in line with its long-term growth strategy.

Under Williams' leadership, Metallus focused on improving profitability, strengthening operations and applying tighter discipline to capital spending. The company also expanded its business in faster-growing markets, particularly aerospace and defense, while continuing to serve customers in automotive, industrial, energy and distribution sectors.

Westbrooks joined Metallus in 2018 and has played a key role in developing the company's financial and operating strategies.

Metallus Chairman Ronald A. Rice praised Williams' contributions and said Westbrooks' experience and leadership will guide the company into its next phase of growth.

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