Carl H. Paiva will be the new head of Meyer Industries management team as of October 1, as the St. George's firm begins a period of anticipated growth.

Mr. Paiva will retain his current position as vice president of marketing for sister company, Meyer Agencies. In February, he was appointed to the board of Meyer Industries to advise on marketing matters.

He said, "It is a significant increase in responsibilities for me, a challenge that I look forward to. We have a great team in St. George's. We've been building the team since February, and coupled with additional expertise I'm bringing to the table, it should be a win-win situation.'' Meyer Industries currently employs about a dozen people, which is likely to increase. The new marketing efforts will concentrate on individual identities for the different businesses.

Mr. Paiva said, "We provide services for cars and are the largest steel supplier in Bermuda. But a lot of people don't know that. So we have to lift the profile for Meyer industries, so that the average man on the street and business people are aware of our business interests.

"We intend to enlarge our business in all the areas and eventually intend to branch out into other areas. We are already looking at options we have, but we would rather make the existing business lines solid, before embarking on other interests.'' Mr. Paiva said, "It is our vision to revitalise this company and make it a leader in the fields of marine repairs and supplies, auto service and supplies, together with steel supplies, welding, engineering and fabrication.

"We have been working on our physical plant to bring it up to the standard necessary to meet the needs of our customers.'' Mr. Paiva said, "Meyer Industries will be marketed very differently than in the past. We are focusing on three distinct markets: Meyer Marine, Meyer Auto Service and Meyer Steel and Fabrication. It is our intent to expand services in all of these areas.'' Meyer Industries and Hamilton-based Meyer Agencies are subsidiaries of the William E. Meyer & Co., which is also the land owner of all Meyer properties.

That includes half of Somers Wharf and several buildings in St. George's, including the building housing Meyer Agencies and the Waverly building where Meyer Travel in Hamilton is located.

Meyer Agencies involves the travel agency, the freight and shipping, destination management, real estate and American Express agency. Meyer Industries includes Meyer Marine, Meyer Auto Service and Meyer Steel & Fabrication.