Saint-Gobain names new North America CEO

File photo Saint-Gobain, which has operations based in Worcester, announced its foundation is giving $170,000 to local organizations.

Photo | Courtesy Mark Rayfield

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By Zachary Comeau

French building material manufacturer Saint-Gobain, with a large presence in Worcester, has named a new North America CEO who once oversaw operations in the city.

Mark Rayfield, the CEO of CertainTeed, the company’s commercial and residential building materials division, will take over for Tom Kinisky, who will become chairman of Saint-Gobain in North America and chief innovation officer for the entire company.

According to Saint-Gobain, Rayfield has 20 years of experience in the company’s family of brands. His expertise will help the company combat waste in the manufacturing and construction industries and the shortage of workers for both industries.

According to Rayfield’s LinkedIn profile, he spent time as vice president and general manager of Saint-Gobain Abrasives, which is based in Worcester.

The leadership changes come as part of Saint-Gobain’s Transform & Grow initiative, which is aimed at improving customer interaction to meet the growing demands of the manufacturing and construction industries.

Rayfield plans to increase sustainability and build upon past successes in the U.S. and United Kingdom to increase collaboration in North America and focus on using consumer insights to inform business strategy in the region.

“As a leader, I know two things: Employees are the key to every success we have as a company at every level, and listening to our customers is the only way to ensure those employees are working on the right things,” Rayfield said in a statement. “I’m excited to be leading a team doing just that – Saint-Gobain North America is focused on combining consumer insights with building science to create products and solutions that make homes and buildings more livable and dynamic.”