Orbia Taps Internal Leader for CFO, Signals Finance Transformation Push

BOSTON, MA – February 25, 2026 – Orbia Advance Corporation (BMV: ORBIA*) announced a strategic leadership transition today, naming Cristian “Cape” Capellino as its next Chief Financial Officer, effective March 15, 2026. The move follows the planned retirement of current CFO James P. “Jim” Kelly after a successful four-year tenure.

The appointment of Capellino, a key architect of the company’s recent financial modernization efforts, signals a commitment to continuity and an accelerated focus on disciplined execution. Kelly will remain with the global solutions provider through mid-year 2026 to facilitate a seamless handover, a move designed to reassure investors and stakeholders of the company's stable financial stewardship.

A Legacy of Financial Discipline and Value Creation

Jim Kelly, who joined Orbia in 2021, is set to retire after a period marked by significant financial reinforcement and strategic navigation through a volatile global economy. During his leadership, Kelly was instrumental in strengthening the company's balance sheet, enhancing cash generation, and instilling rigorous capital allocation discipline across Orbia's diverse business groups, which span from polymer solutions to precision agriculture.

His tenure saw Orbia achieve record financial results in 2021, with revenue hitting $8.8 billion and EBITDA reaching $2.05 billion. While the company has since navigated more challenging market conditions, Kelly's focus on financial health remained constant. The most recent full-year 2025 results showed a 24% year-over-year increase in operating cash flow to $645 million and an improvement in the company's net debt-to-EBITDA ratio, which stood at 3.70x at year-end. These metrics underscore a legacy of prudent financial management.

In a statement, Orbia CEO Sameer Bharadwaj praised Kelly’s contributions, stating, “Jim has been a trusted partner and a steady leader during a period of transformation for Orbia. His judgment, integrity and relationship orientation—along with his commitment to developing leadership depth across the finance organization—have positioned the Company well for its next phase of performance.”

Kelly's leadership was also recognized externally, with Forbes Mexico naming him one of the country's top CFOs in both 2023 and 2024. The recognition highlighted his ability to generate value through digital transformation and talent management amidst economic headwinds.

The Architect of Transformation Takes the Helm

Cristian “Cape” Capellino’s promotion from within the company’s ranks is a clear endorsement of Orbia’s internal talent pipeline and strategic direction. Having joined Orbia in 2020, Capellino has held a series of senior leadership roles, including Global Head of Controllership, Tax, and FP&A, before most recently serving as Vice President of Finance Transformation.

In this capacity, he worked in close collaboration with the outgoing CFO to modernize Orbia's financial systems across its operations in more than 40 countries. This direct involvement makes him uniquely qualified to continue and expand upon these critical initiatives. With over 23 years of experience in global industrial and manufacturing finance, including senior roles at NYSE-listed Tenaris and early career experience at Deloitte, Capellino brings a deep well of expertise to the CFO position. He holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Bharadwaj highlighted Capellino's readiness for the role, noting his deep understanding of the company's portfolio and priorities. “Cape has played a pivotal role steering Orbia’s finance transformation and brings more than 23 years of finance leadership experience in global industrial and manufacturing environments," Bharadwaj said. "His appointment reflects our continued focus on disciplined execution and long-term value creation.”

As the incoming CFO, Capellino will assume responsibility for Orbia’s entire global finance organization, including Accounting, Treasury, Financial Planning and Analysis, Tax, and Investor Relations. His mandate is expected to center on leveraging modernized systems for data-driven decision-making, driving operational efficiency, and maintaining the disciplined capital framework established under Kelly.

Navigating a Complex Global Landscape

Capellino steps into the CFO role as Orbia navigates a mixed global market. The company reported full-year 2025 revenues of $7.6 billion, a modest 2% increase, while reported EBITDA saw a 7% decline to $1.02 billion, reflecting persistent challenges in certain sectors. Softer performance in the Polymer Solutions business, due to excess supply in the global PVC market, and difficult construction and infrastructure markets in Europe and Mexico presented headwinds.

However, the company is also capitalizing on significant growth opportunities. The Fluor & Energy Materials business group posted a strong 11% revenue increase for the year, driven by higher volumes in medical propellants and minerals. Orbia is actively investing in this segment, with a new U.K. facility for next-generation medical propellants expected to come online in early 2027.

Similarly, the Precision Agriculture (Netafim) and Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line) business groups are experiencing favorable trends. Netafim is poised to launch GrowSphere, a new digital farming system targeting smallholder farmers in Asia, in the second quarter of 2026. This initiative aims to make precision irrigation more accessible, addressing global challenges of water scarcity and food security. These targeted growth initiatives, combined with a disciplined approach to cost management and the divestiture of non-core assets, will be central to Capellino’s strategic financial oversight.

A Testament to Structured Succession and Governance

The well-orchestrated transition from Kelly to Capellino serves as a case study in effective corporate governance and succession planning. The company's "structured Board-led succession process" identified a highly qualified internal candidate, ensuring continuity of strategy and minimizing disruption. The extended transition period, with Kelly remaining in an advisory capacity through mid-2026, further reinforces the company’s commitment to a stable and orderly handover.

This approach aligns with Orbia's broader emphasis on developing leadership from within, a theme often highlighted in its corporate sustainability and impact reports. By promoting an executive who has been central to its recent transformation journey, Orbia sends a strong signal to the market that its financial strategy remains on a consistent and forward-looking path. Capellino's deep institutional knowledge and proven track record within the company are expected to provide a steady hand at the financial helm as Orbia continues to execute on its purpose to advance life around the world.