Sonoco a leading global sustainable packaging company, announced promotions among its senior operational leadership which are aligned with the Company’s strategy to simplify its operating structure to improve efficiency and effectiveness, according to Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointments are effective immediately.

Rodger Fuller has been named Chief Operating Officer, continuing to report to Coker. Fuller, who was previously Executive Vice President, Global Consumer and Industrial, has 36 years of operational leadership experience and will be charged with driving an increased focus on centralization and standardization for the Company’s largest integrated businesses.

Sean Cairns has been named President of Sonoco’s Global Rigid Paper and Closures organization, including operations in Americas, Europe and Asia, reporting to Fuller. Cairns joined Sonoco in 2008 and was previously Division Vice President and General Manager of Sonoco’s Consumer Products, Europe. During his tenure he has grown Sonoco’s European Consumer business from less than $70 million to nearly $425 million in 2021.

James Harrell has been named President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging, reporting to Fuller, and has responsibility for all of Sonoco’s Industrial businesses globally. Harrell was previously Vice President, Industrial Americas, and has 37 years of experience with Sonoco, including running the Company’s Industrial operations in the Americas and Europe.

Also reporting to Fuller is Russell Grissett who will continue to lead Sonoco’s Global Flexible Packaging business as President and has more than 28 years of operating and commercial leadership with Sonoco’s Consumer businesses.

Jeff Tomaszewski has been named President of Sonoco’s Diversified Businesses, reporting to Coker. In this position, Tomaszewski will be responsible for maximizing performance and profitability in the Company’s diversified businesses, primarily in the All Other group of businesses, where fewer opportunities exist to realize the benefit of strong centralization. Tomaszewski joined Sonoco in 2002 and previously was Vice President, North America Consumer and Global Rigid Paper and Closures since 2020.

Sonoco previously announced that Ernest Haynes was named President of Sonoco’s new Metal Packaging business, reporting to Coker. Haynes has 25 years of experience with Sonoco was previously Vice President, Rigid Paper and Closures, North America.