Sonoco (NYSE: SON) names Ernest Haynes to lead $5.2B packaging unit
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Sonoco Products Company announced leadership and organizational changes in its Global Consumer Packaging businesses, aligning them under a single integrated leadership structure reporting to Ernest Haynes, who has been named President, Global Consumer Packaging.
As President of this segment, Haynes will oversee Sonoco’s largest global business with roughly $5.2 billion in annual sales, 98 operations in 25 countries and 11,250 employees, serving major consumer brands. Sonoco’s Industrial Paper Packaging segment continues to be led by James Harrell, while Sean Cairns, President, Sonoco EMEA/APAC, is leaving the company after a long tenure.
Sonoco states that the new structure is expected to simplify its operating model and support collaboration, innovation and growth. Company-wide, net sales from continuing operations were $7.5 billion in 2025, with approximately 22,000 employees in 263 operations across 37 countries.
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8-K Event Classification
2 items: 7.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Global Consumer Packaging Sales: $5.2 billion
Global Consumer Packaging Operations: 98 operations
Global Consumer Packaging Countries: 25 countries
+5 more
8 metrics
Global Consumer Packaging Sales
$5.2 billion
Annual sales for Sonoco’s Global Consumer Packaging segment
Global Consumer Packaging Operations
98 operations
Number of operations in the Global Consumer Packaging segment
Global Consumer Packaging Countries
25 countries
Countries in which the Global Consumer Packaging segment operates
Global Consumer Packaging Employees
11,250 employees
Employees in Sonoco’s Global Consumer Packaging segment
2025 Net Sales from Continuing Operations
$7.5 billion
Company-wide net sales from continuing operations in 2025
Total Employees
22,000 employees
Approximate number of employees company-wide
Total Operations
263 operations
Company-wide operations across all segments
Total Countries
37 countries
Countries in which Sonoco operates company-wide
Key Terms
Global Consumer Packaging, Industrial Paper Packaging, forward-looking statements, organizational restructuring, +1 more
5 terms
Global Consumer Packaging financial
"aligning its Global Consumer Packaging businesses under a single integrated leadership"
Industrial Paper Packaging financial
"Sonoco’s Industrial Paper Packaging segment will continue to be led by James"
forward-looking statements regulatory
"Certain statements made in this communication are forward-looking statements within"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
organizational restructuring financial
"including with respect to organizational restructuring and leadership transitions, portfolio"
Organizational restructuring is a planned change to a company’s internal setup — its departments, reporting lines, workforce size, or ownership of business units — intended to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or refocus on different products or markets. Investors care because restructuring can change future profits, cash flow and risk: like reworking a house’s layout to make it more livable, it can raise value if done well or signal trouble if it disrupts operations or hides deeper problems.
portfolio simplification financial
"including with respect to organizational restructuring and leadership transitions, portfolio"
Portfolio simplification is the process of reducing the number of different investments within a collection to make managing it easier and clearer. Think of it like organizing a cluttered toolbox by keeping only the most useful tools, making it simpler to find what you need and ensuring everything works smoothly. For investors, it can help reduce complexity, lower costs, and focus on their most important financial goals.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What organizational changes did Sonoco (SON) disclose on August 4, 2026?
Sonoco announced it is aligning its Global Consumer Packaging businesses under a single integrated leadership structure reporting to Ernest Haynes. The company describes this new structure as intended to simplify its operating model and enhance collaboration, innovation, operational efficiency and growth.
What new role did Ernest Haynes assume at Sonoco (SON)?
Ernest Haynes was named President, Global Consumer Packaging, leading Sonoco’s largest global business. He will oversee roughly $5.2 billion in annual sales, 98 operations in 25 countries and 11,250 employees, and will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Howard Coker.
How large is Sonoco’s Global Consumer Packaging business (SON)?
Sonoco’s Global Consumer Packaging segment generates roughly $5.2 billion in annual sales. It includes 98 operations across 25 countries and employs about 11,250 people, serving some of the best-known consumer brands around the world, according to the company’s description.
What leadership departure did Sonoco (SON) report in this 8-K?
Sonoco reported that Sean Cairns, President, Sonoco EMEA/APAC, is leaving the company after 17 years with Sonoco and 30 years in the packaging industry. The company thanked him for his leadership and dedication and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.
What overall 2025 financial and operational scale did Sonoco (SON) highlight?
Sonoco reported $7.5 billion in net sales from continuing operations in 2025. It operates approximately 263 facilities in 37 countries with about 22,000 employees, serving many of the world’s best-known brands across metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging.
What risks and uncertainties did Sonoco (SON) associate with its new structure?
Sonoco noted risks related to executing its strategy, including organizational restructuring, leadership transitions, portfolio simplification, organizational streamlining and capital investments. It also cited risks around retaining key personnel and integrating operations under the new leadership structure, as detailed in its SEC filings.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 4, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Commission File No.)
| (State or other jurisdiction or incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Telephone: (843 ) 383-7000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On August 4, 2026, Sonoco Products Company (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing, among other things, an update to the organizational structure of its Global Consumer Packaging businesses and related leadership transitions. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 hereto 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 Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 hereto include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected benefits of Sonoco’s new operating structure, including with respect to innovation, collaboration, operational efficiency and growth; expectations regarding the Company’s new leadership structure; expectations regarding improved performance and future growth; and the Company’s ability to serve stakeholders. 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 organizational restructuring and leadership transitions, portfolio simplification, organizational streamlining, and capital investments, and achieve the benefits it expects therefrom; the ability to retain key personnel and successfully integrate operations under the new leadership structure; 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.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit | ||||||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release of Sonoco Products Company, dated August 4, 2026 | ||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | ||||||||||
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Date: August 4, 2026 | By: | /s/ John M. Florence, Jr. | ||||||||||||||||||
| John M. Florence, Jr. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| General Counsel, Secretary and Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||
August 4, 2026 Contact: Roger Schrum
843-339-6018
roger.schrum@sonoco.com
Sonoco Aligns Global Consumer Businesses Under Single Leadership Structure
Ernest Haynes Named President of Company’s Largest Global Packaging Business
HARTSVILLE, S.C., U.S. – Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), a global leader in high-value metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging, today announced it is aligning its Global Consumer Packaging businesses under a single integrated leadership structure reporting to Ernest Haynes, President, Global Consumer Packaging.
“As leaders in metal and paper cans, closures and components, we are taking the next step to align our Global Consumer Packaging businesses around our products, our customers and our people,” said Howard Coker, Sonoco President and Chief Executive Officer. “I’m pleased to have an experienced leader like Ernest taking over this important role. He has nearly 30 years of operating and commercial leadership at Sonoco and will bring the best of our Americas and EMEA/APAC businesses together to leverage our technology, supply chain and research and development to meet the changing needs of our global customers.”
As President of Sonoco’s Global Consumer Packaging segment, Haynes will be responsible for Sonoco’s largest global business with roughly $5.2 billion in annual sales, 98 operations in 25 countries and 11,250 employees serving some of the best-known consumer brands around the world. He reports directly to Coker.
“I’m excited by the opportunity to further grow our strong metal and paper can businesses around the world,” said Haynes. “This new structure simplifies and improves the efficiency of our operating model enabling our teams to better collaborate, innovate and grow. I am passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring world-class manufacturing, quality and technical service for our brands worldwide. Our people, commitment to unmatched customer service and market leadership position us for improved performance and future growth.”
Since joining Sonoco in 1997, Haynes has held numerous leadership roles across both the Company’s Consumer and Industrial segments. Prior to this appointment, he was President of Sonoco’s Consumer, Americas business and was President, Metal Packaging North America, following the acquisition of Ball Metalpack in 2022. From 2018 to 2021, 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.
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. He places significant importance on community impact through service and currently is a director on the Clemson University Foundation Board. He is also a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Sonoco’s Industrial Paper Packaging segment will continue to be led by James Harrell, President. In addition, Sean Cairns, President, Sonoco EMEA/APAC, is leaving the Company after 17 years with Sonoco and 30 years in the packaging industry.
North Second Street
Hartsville, S.C. 29550 USA
843/383-7794
www.sonoco.com
“I want to thank Sean for his leadership and dedication to Sonoco over the last two decades. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Coker said.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging. A Fortune 500 company, Sonoco generated net sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations in 2025 and has approximately 22,000 employees working in 263 operations in 37 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 the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune in 2026 as well as one of America’s Most Admired and Responsible Companies by Fortune and Newsweek. In 2025, the Company was included on USA TODAY’s list of America’s Climate Leaders. 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, statements regarding the expected benefits of Sonoco’s new operating structure, including with respect to innovation, collaboration, operational efficiency and growth; expectations regarding the Company’s new leadership structure; expectations regarding improved performance and future growth; and the Company’s ability to serve stakeholders. 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 organizational restructuring and leadership transitions, portfolio simplification, organizational streamlining, and capital investments, and achieve the benefits it expects therefrom; the ability to retain key personnel and successfully integrate operations under the new leadership structure; 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.
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