Morton Salt Announces New Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Morton Salt, Inc., part of the K+S Group, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Mark Roberts has been appointed to serve as a Member of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S, effective October 1, 2012.  This change was announced today after the K+S Supervisory Board meeting in Kassel, Germany.  Christian Herrmann, current head of Investor Relations for K+S, will succeed Roberts as CEO of Morton Salt.

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"It has been a privilege to serve the passionate people of Morton Salt as well as the iconic business and brands they represent," Roberts said.  "While I may be taking on a new role, I will remain involved with Morton Salt as I focus on building the broader global salt business for K+S."

Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S Group, adds:  "Mark has made outstanding contributions to our Group over the last two decades and did a fantastic job in integrating Morton Salt into the K+S Group.  On behalf of my colleagues, I am very glad to welcome him to our Executive Board.  As we look ahead to the transition, Morton Salt will remain in very capable hands.  Christian's global business insights and strategic thinking will deliver significant value for the future of Morton Salt."

Herrmann, 38, joined K+S in 2002 as manager in the Investor Relations Department.  He assumed his current position in 2005 and has successfully accompanied the growth and internationalization of K+S Group from a capital markets perspective.  Herrmann had an integral part in shaping K+S' reputation and perception among international investors and analysts.

"Morton Salt has a long, rich history in the marketplace and I am honored to have been appointed as its CEO," Herrmann said.  "I am thrilled about joining the team in Chicago and working together to inspire and maintain the company's legacy of success."

Roberts, 48, has been a part of K+S for more than 20 years. He was named CEO of Morton Salt on October 1, 2009, following the K+S Group's acquisition of the company.  In this capacity, he directed the company's strategy and operations in the U.S., Canada and the Bahamas.  In his new role as a Member of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S, Roberts will be responsible for the salt business segment with operations in North America, South America and Europe.

More About Christian Herrmann

After completing his studies in Business Administration at Frankfurt am Main and Tubingen, Herrmann began his professional career in 1999 in the corporate finance business divisions of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson in Frankfurt and Schroder Salomon Smith Barney in London, and worked on a number of equity capital market transactions in Europe.

In 2002, he returned to Germany to join the Investor Relations Department of K+S. His main tasks were to increase awareness of the company among analysts and investors worldwide as well as to develop the function. In 2005, Herrmann was entrusted with heading the Investor Relations Department; in the same year, he received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. 

Herrmann is married and has one daughter. He and his family will relocate to Chicago in the summer.

About Morton Salt

Morton Salt is an American tradition, with roots that date back to 1848. The company has established itself as the trusted authority on salt based on consistent excellence and an evolving product line that continues to pass the test of time. Morton Salt, Inc. is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and is part of the K+S Group, the world's leading producer of salt and one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and specialty fertilizers. For more information, visit www.mortonsalt.com.

SOURCE Morton Salt, Inc.