Air Products (NYSE:APD) issued a press release on October 26, 2026 announcing the appointment of Kurt Lefevere as Group President, Americas, and Francesco Maione as Group President, EMEA and Asia, both effective November 1, 2026.

Key Highlights

  • Two new Group Presidents appointed: Kurt Lefevere and Francesco Maione will assume their expanded roles effective November 1, 2026.
  • Lefevere's prior role: He currently serves as President, Air Products Asia, before moving to Group President, Americas.
  • Maione's prior role: He currently serves as President, Americas, Helium and Rare Gases, before moving to Group President, EMEA and Asia.
  • Reporting structure: Both executives will continue to report to Eduardo Menezes, Air Products' Chief Executive Officer.
  • Lefevere's new portfolio includes North America and South America atmospheric gases, North America HyCO, the Membrane Solutions, Gardner Cryogenics, and Rotoflow equipment businesses, Global HyCO Project Delivery, and Equipment Sales and Plant Support.
  • Maione's new portfolio covers businesses and operations in Asia, Europe and Africa, the Middle East and India, Helium and Rare Gases, and Global Air Separation Unit and Standard Plant Solutions Project Delivery.

Air Products Restructures Senior Leadership With Two Group President Roles

According to the filing, Air Products announced the creation of two Group President positions designed to give complementary regional and global business portfolios distinct executive ownership. The company disclosed that "the new structure supports accountability, coordination, and execution across Air Products' businesses, customer relationships, and projects."

Kurt Lefevere, currently President of Air Products Asia, has been named Group President, Americas. The filing states his responsibilities will include North America and South America atmospheric gases, North America HyCO, the Membrane Solutions, Gardner Cryogenics, and Rotoflow equipment businesses, Global HyCO Project Delivery, Equipment Sales and Plant Support, and the company's interests in joint ventures within his areas.

Francesco Maione, currently President, Americas, Helium and Rare Gases, has been appointed Group President, EMEA and Asia. According to the filing, his portfolio will cover Air Products' businesses and operations in Asia, Europe and Africa, the Middle East and India, Helium and Rare Gases, Global Air Separation Unit and Standard Plant Solutions Project Delivery, and the company's interests in joint ventures in his areas. CEO Eduardo Menezes was quoted in the filing saying the appointments "reflect our confidence in Kurt and Francesco and the depth of leadership talent across Air Products." The filing notes it contains forward-looking statements subject to the cautionary language of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and that actual results may differ materially from projections described therein.

What Was Disclosed

Air Products disclosed the appointment of two executives to newly defined Group President roles effective November 1, 2026, along with the specific business portfolios each will oversee and confirmation that both will continue reporting to the CEO.