QXO Inc. (NYSE: QXO) named Ken West president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 1, as the company strengthens its executive leadership under CEO Brad Jacobs.
West, who will report directly to Jacobs, brings more than two decades of experience in industrial operations, strategy and integration across multiple sectors. He previously served as president and CEO of Honeywell Process Technology, where he led the spin-off of Solstice Advanced Materials and executed the acquisitions of Sundyne and Johnson Matthey’s Catalyst Technologies business within six years at Honeywell.
Prior to Honeywell, West spent 13 years at PPG Industries, including as global vice president of Packaging Coatings, overseeing roles in operations, integration, corporate planning and finance. His tenure included leading the integration of AkzoNobel Architectural Coatings North America. West holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
QXO describes itself as North America’s largest distributor and installer of insulation and the second-largest distributor of roofing products and publicly traded lumber and building materials. The company is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QXO, said West’s operational rigor and track record of delivering results across industrial businesses make him well-suited to lead day-to-day operations. West’s appointment follows a period of strategic expansion at QXO, including moves to consolidate positions in key building-product categories.
QXO’s shares closed at $13.76 on Aug. 21, up $0.42 or 3.15%, after trading at $13.71, down $0.05 or 0.36%, in after-hours activity.
