IMV Projects hires process engineering manager with exceptional industry expertise

Kumar Laxshimalla a 33-year industry veteran with global experience in production, design and engineering of upstream surface facilities

CALGARY, May 23, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - IMV Projects, a Wood Group company, today announced that Mr. Kumar Laxshimalla has been named process engineering manager.

Process engineering involves the selection, definition, execution and supporting construction/commissioning phases of any engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) project. It leads to the successful implementation of design, procurement, construction and operation of industrial facilities. Specifically in Alberta, process engineering generally encompasses design work required to build facilities that extract oil and natural gas from its source, produce marketable products and transport these products via pipeline.

"Process engineering is a very high-value skill set in our industry," explains Kevin O'Brien, president, IMV Projects. "People with the depth of experience possessed by Kumar Laxshimalla are rare in our market. Integrating Kumar's talent into our total service offering will provide a significant competitive advantage for IMV Projects. On behalf of the entire company, I would like to welcome Kumar to the team," adds Mr. O'Brien.

"What Kumar Laxshimalla brings to the table is a rare blend of experience, skill and talent," continues Tom Fransham, vice president engineering and design, and vice president quality assurance, IMV Projects. "Thirty-plus years of international experience is impressive in itself, but what really sets Kumar apart is his ability to merge technical expertise with a talent for business development and the management skills to successfully lead teams to execute challenging projects," says Mr. Fransham.

"I hope to use my experience to advance IMV Projects' core values," notes Kumar Laxshimalla, process engineering manager, IMV Projects. "Process engineers are generally well-positioned to understand a project from conceptualization through realization. I believe that this perspective will benefit IMV Projects' clients by enhancing our ability to deliver quality design work, in a safe and timely manner, and thus provide a good return on investment. I also look forward to sharing my experience with a new generation of engineers. As the 'baby boomers' continue to retire, I believe that mentorship will become increasingly important. I am very pleased to join IMV Projects and look forward to the challenging and rewarding work ahead," concludes Mr. Laxshimalla.

Previously in his career, Kumar Laxshimalla held a variety of engineering roles with companies including: Amec Americas Ltd., Jacobs Canada Inc., Worley Engineering, Sirte Oil Co., Technip Geo Production, Brunei Shell Petroleum, Hyundai John Brown Engineering Co. and Engineers India Ltd. Mr. Laxshimalla is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO). Kumar holds an MBA from the University of Delhi and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Kakatiya University (India). A native of Hyderabad, India, Kumar Laxshimalla has resided in the Calgary, Alberta region for the last 16 years.

IMV Projects is a project execution company for the energy industry that delivers project management, engineering, procurement and construction management services with efficiency and integrity. Founded in 1999, IMV Projects is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. www.imvprojects.com

Wood Group (John Wood Group PLC) is an international energy services company with $6B sales, employing more than 41,000 people worldwide and operating in 50 countries. The Group has three businesses - Engineering, Wood Group PSN and Wood Group GTS - providing a range of engineering, production support, maintenance management and industrial gas turbine overhaul and repair services to the oil & gas, and power generation industries worldwide. www.woodgroup.com

Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications
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Bobbie Ireland, Director, Corporate Communications, Wood Group
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