Russian fertilizer producer OAO Uralkali (URKA.RS) said Monday it has appointed Vladislav Baumgertner as chief executive.

Baumgertner served as Uralkali CEO between 2005 and 2010 before leaving for the same post at another Russian fertilizer producer, Silvinit (SILV.RS).

Both companies are in a process of a $1.4 billion merger to create the world's No. 2 potash producer after Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT).

-By Alexander Kolyandr, Dow Jones Newswires; +7 495 232 9192; Alexander.Kolyandr@dowjones.com