Austal names COO for its Australian operations

Austal has appointed former Boral Limited Divisional General Manager Peter Hogan to the position of Chief Operating Officer --Australian Operations.

Austal says that Mr. Hogan brings with him a strong background in business growth and operational improvement as well as proven success at all levels of management, both in Australia and overseas. He has previously held senior management positions with Hanson Israel Limited, Pioneer International Limited, and most recently with Midland Brick -- a subsidiary of Boral Limited and the largest clay brick manufacturing facility in the world. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science -- Mathematics from Queensland University of Technology.

Austal Managing Director Bob Browning said: "With a career spanning almost 30 years, Peter will add significant international management experience and leadership to our Australian operations as we prepare to enter a challenging and exciting phase in Austal's development."

Mr. Hogan will officially join Austal in February 2009 and be based at the shipbuilder's headquarters in Henderson, Western Australia.