OREANDA-NEWS. April 07, 2011. Mechel (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces the creation of the position of Vice-President for Commercial Activities, reported the press-centre of Mechel.

Mikhail Urvantsev, 42, was appointed Mechel vice-president for commercial activities.

Prior to this appointment Mr. Urvantsev began his professional career at Beloretsk Metallurgical Plant in 2001 as commercial director to become deputy general director of Mechel Trading House in 2002. In 2004, he was appointed director of Mechel Steel Group’s supply department, to be promoted to Mechel Trading House’s general director that same year. In 2005, he joined the staff of Industrial and Metallurgical Holding Management Company. In 2006, he was appointed general director of UMZ Trading House, and worked his way up to UMZ’s general director in 2009-2011.

Mr. Urvantsev graduated from Moscow Commercial University with a specialty in economics and management in trade and catering.

As a dynamically developing company, Mechel is implementing a long-term investment program aimed at developing its production facilities, increasing output volumes and raising the quality of its products. It requires consistent, strategically well-checked steps to perfect the sales system and coordinate supply work, which will ultimately enable the company to be flexible in reacting to market opportunities and expand further in Russian and foreign markets.

“I am sure that Mikhail Urvantsev is up to the task and will be able to map out the best strategy to coordinate Mechel’s commercial activities, aimed at cutting supply costs and raising the group’s profit by increasing sales efficiency,” Mechel Chief Executive Officer Yevgeny Mikhel noted.