Sonoco Consolidating Consumer Packaging Businesses Under Two Geographies
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is consolidating its Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers into a single Consumer Packaging segment organized by two geographies: Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and Consumer Packaging Americas. New leaders Seán Cairns (President, EMEA/APAC) and Ernest Haynes (President, Americas) will report to CEO Howard Coker. The reorganization aims to simplify operations, enable substrate-agnostic selling across steel, aluminum and paper cans, and drive innovation and collaboration.
Rodger Fuller remains COO and will support the EMEA integration following his interim CEO role. The transition is expected to conclude in Q1 2026. The Industrial Paper Packaging segment continues under James Harrell.
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) sta consolidando imballaggi metallici e contenitori rigidi di carta in un unico segmento di imballaggio di consumo organizzato per due aree geografiche: Imballaggio di consumo EMEA/APAC e Imballaggio di consumo Americas. I nuovi responsabili Seán Cairns (Presidente, EMEA/APAC) ed Ernest Haynes (Presidente, Americas) riporteranno al CEO Howard Coker. La riorganizzazione mira a semplificare le operazioni, consentire vendite indipendenti dal substrato su contenitori in acciaio, alluminio e carta, e stimolare innovazione e collaborazione.
Rodger Fuller rimane COO e supporterà l'integrazione EMEA dopo il suo ruolo di CEO ad interim. La transizione è prevista per concludersi nel Q1 2026. Il segmento Industrial Paper Packaging prosegue sotto la guida di James Harrell.
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) está consolidando su Embalaje Metálico y Contenedores de Papel Rígido en un único segmento de Empaque de Consumo organizado por dos geografías: Empaque de Consumo EMEA/APAC y Empaque de Consumo Américas. Los nuevos líderes Seán Cairns (Presidente, EMEA/APAC) y Ernest Haynes (Presidente, Américas) reportarán al CEO Howard Coker. La reorganización tiene como objetivo simplificar las operaciones, permitir ventas independientemente del sustrato en envases de acero, aluminio y papel, y fomentar la innovación y la colaboración.
Rodger Fuller continúa como COO y apoyará la integración de EMEA tras su rol interino como CEO. Se espera que la transición finalice en Q1 2026. El segmento de Papel Industrial de Empaque continúa bajo la dirección de James Harrell.
소노코(NYSE: SON)은 금속 포장과 경질 종이 용기를 단일 소비자 포장 부문으로 통합하고 두 지리적 구역으로 구성합니다: 소비자 포장 EMEA/APAC 및 소비자 포장 미주. 새로운 리더 세언 카인즈(사장, EMEA/APAC)와 어네스트 헤인스(사장, 미주)는 CEO 하워드 코커에게 보고합니다. 재편성의 목표는 운영을 단순화하고 철강, 알루미늄, 종이 캔에 대한 원료 의존 없는 판매를 가능하게 하며 혁신과 협력을 촉진하는 것입니다.
로저 풀러는 COO로 남아 EMEA 통합을 지원하며, 임시 CEO 역할 이후의 이행을 돕습니다. 전환은 2026년 1분기에 완료될 것으로 예상됩니다. 산업용 종이 포장 부문은 제임스 해럴 아래 계속됩니다.
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) regroupe son emballage métallique et ses contenants en papier rigide en un seul segment d'emballage de consommation organisé par deux zones géographiques: Emballage de consommation EMEA/APAC et Emballage de consommation Amériques. Les nouveaux dirigeants Seán Cairns (Président, EMEA/APAC) et Ernest Haynes (Président, Amériques) relèveront du PDG Howard Coker. La réorganisation vise à simplifier les opérations, permettre une vente indépendante du substrat sur des boîtes en acier, aluminium et papier, et favoriser l'innovation et la collaboration.
Rodger Fuller reste COO et soutiendra l'intégration EMEA après son rôle de PDG par intérim. La transition devrait être achevée au Q1 2026. Le segment Industrial Paper Packaging se poursuit sous la direction de James Harrell.
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) konsolidiert seine Metal Packaging und festen Papierbehälter zu einem einzigen Segment für Consumer Packaging, das in zwei Geografien organisiert ist: Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC und Consumer Packaging Americas. Die neuen Führungskräfte Seán Cairns (President, EMEA/APAC) und Ernest Haynes (President, Americas) berichten direkt an CEO Howard Coker. Die Reorganisation zielt darauf ab, die Abläufe zu vereinfachen, eine substratunabhängige Vermarktung über Stahl-, Aluminium- und Papppackungen zu ermöglichen und Innovation sowie Zusammenarbeit zu fördern.
Rodger Fuller bleibt COO und wird die EMEA-Integration nach seiner vorübergehenden CEO-Rolle unterstützen. Der Übergang soll im Q1 2026 abgeschlossen sein. Das Segment Industrial Paper Packaging bleibt unter James Harrell.
سونكو (NYSE: SON) تقوم بتوحيد تعبئة المعادن وحاويات الورق المقوى في قطاع تعبئة المستهلكين في قسْم واحد من التعبئة يتم تنظيمه وفق منطقتين جغرافيتين: تعبئة المستهلكين EMEA/APAC و تعبئة المستهلكين الأمريكتين. سيقدم القادة الجدد شون كارينز (الرئيس، EMEA/APAC) وإرنست هاينز (الرئيس، الأمريكتان) تقاريرهما إلى الرئيس التنفيذي هوارد كوكر. تهدف إعادة التنظيم إلى تبسيط العمليات، وتمكين البيع غير المعتمِد على المادة الأساسية عبر علب من الصلب والألومنيوم والورق، وتعزيز الابتكار والتعاون.
يظل رودجر فولر رئيس عمليات (COO) وسيُدعم دمج منطقة EMEA بعد دوره كمدير تنفيذي مؤقت. من المتوقع أن تكتمل الانتقال في الربع الأول من 2026. يستمر قطاع Industrial Paper Packaging تحت إشراف جيمس هاريل.
- Geographic consolidation into EMEA/APAC and Americas
- Seán Cairns named President, Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC
- Ernest Haynes named President, Consumer Packaging Americas
- Transition target completion in Q1 2026
- Integration window extends until Q1 2026, requiring coordination
- Leadership transition follows the sudden passing of Tomas Lopez, creating short-term change management needs
New Senior Leadership Announced for EMEA/APAC and Americas
HARTSVLLE, S.C., Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, today announced it is consolidating its Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers businesses under one structure based on two geographies – Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and the Americas.
“Our Consumer Packaging segment will be one can business representing steel, aluminum and paper cans, closures and components,” said Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This new structure will create a much simpler and more efficient operating model that will also allow our teams to be agnostic about the substrates we offer to our customers. I truly believe this integrated structure – driven geographically – will lead to further innovation, collaboration and growth opportunities.”
Coker also announced new senior leadership for Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and the Americas.
Seán Cairns has been named President, Consumer Packaging, EMEA/APAC. In this new position, Cairns will be responsible for all Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers operations for EMEA and APAC regions, reporting directly to Coker.
Ernest Haynes has been named President, Consumer Packaging, Americas. In this new position, Haynes will be responsible for all Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Packaging operations for North and South America, reporting directly to Coker.
Cairns previously served as President of Global Rigid Paper Containers, overseeing operations across North and South America, Europe and Asia since April 2022. He has been instrumental in driving growth, innovation and sustainability since joining the Company in 2008.
With more than 30 years in packaging, Cairns’ expertise is rooted in a strong technical foundation as a former Merchant Marine. Prior to joining Sonoco, he worked for Crown’s Metal Packaging EMEA business for 13 years where he held positions ranging from Factory Manager to Business Unit Director. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wales College, Cardiff, an Executive MBA from Manchester Business School and is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
Haynes was previously President of Sonoco Metal Packaging NA, one of North America’s leading manufacturers of steel tinplate food and aerosol cans, closures and components. He assumed the role in 2022 following the acquisition of Ball Metalpack and under his leadership has significantly grown the business’ profitability and capability.
Since joining Sonoco in 1997, Haynes has held numerous leadership roles across both the Company’s Consumer and Industrial segments. From 2018, he served as Division Vice President and General Manager of Rigid Paper Containers North America. Prior to that, he was Division Vice President of Operations for Tubes and Cores, U.S./Canada. He also chaired Sonoco’s Corporate Quality Council, reflecting his deep commitment to operational excellence and quality throughout the organization.
Haynes is passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring world-class manufacturing, quality and technical service for brands worldwide. He places significant importance on community impact through service and currently serves as a director on the Clemson University Foundation Board. He is also a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Haynes is a graduate of the Wharton School’s Executive General Management Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Clemson University.
With these changes, Rodger Fuller will continue as Sonoco’s Chief Operating Officer, and step back from his temporary role as Interim CEO of Metal Packaging EMEA. Fuller will continue to support the EMEA integration and leadership transition while working with key customers in his capacity as Chief Operating Officer.
“I want to personally thank Rodger for stepping into the Interim CEO role for Metal Packaging EMEA this summer following the sudden passing of Tomas Lopez,” Coker said. “His stabilizing leadership has been invaluable and has placed us on strong footing to implement the next steps in our business transformation.”
These changes do not involve Sonoco’s Industrial Paper Packaging segment which continues to be led by James Harrell, President. The transition of Consumer Packaging segment change will conclude in the first quarter of 2026.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging. The Company is now a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with approximately 22,500 employees working in 270 operations in 40 countries, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. Sonoco was proudly named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this communication are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “allow,” “believe,” “committed,” “continue,” “lead to,” “footing,” “future,” “next,” “opportunity,” “strive,” “will” or the negative thereof and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this communication include, but are not limited to, the expected benefits of Sonoco’s new operating structure, including innovation, collaboration and growth opportunities; expectations regarding the Company’s business transformation; and the Company’s ability to serve stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. These forward-looking statements are made based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, perceived opportunities, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, goals and objectives concerning the Company’s future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy, including with respect to portfolio simplification, organizational streamlining, and capital investments, and achieve the benefits it expects therefrom, and the other risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors”. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur.
Contact:
Roger Schrum
843-339-6018
roger.schrum@sonoco.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d06723de-9997-4bd0-8206-a06a0eaa4c09
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/865c55cf-93bb-4ed8-8042-18ca69eda423
FAQ
What change did Sonoco (SON) announce on November 10, 2025?
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