Lowe’s Cos. has announced that José Luis Pier Castelló will join the company as president/general director of the retailer’s Mexico division. He replaces Francisco Fernandez, who has left the company, Lowe’s stated.

Pier Castelló has served as COO at 7-Eleven Mexico and has experience with supermarket chain Supermercados Internacionales H.E.B., and Wal-Mart Mexico, Lowe’s related. He will report to Doug Robinson, Lowe’s head of international operations and development.

“José Luis has more than 19 years of experience in both store operations and retail strategy with multi-national companies. His demonstrated leadership and retail expertise make him an outstanding fit for the Lowe’s Mexico operation as it continues to grow to best serve the needs of Mexican consumers,” said Robinson.

In 2010, Lowe’s entered the Mexican home improvement business by opening stores in Monterrey. Today, the retailer has five stores in Mexico, with Saltillo, Hermosillo and Culiacan locations added beyond the initial Monterrey market, Lowe’s noted.

All told, the retailer has more than 1,750 home improvement stores operating in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the company pointed out.