Sonoco Consolidating Consumer Packaging Businesses Under Two Geographies

Core Viewpoint - Sonoco Products Company is consolidating its Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers businesses into a unified structure based on two geographical segments: Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and the Americas [1][3]. Group 1: Business Structure and Leadership Changes - The new structure aims to create a simpler and more efficient operating model, allowing teams to be agnostic about the substrates offered to customers, which is expected to foster innovation and growth opportunities [3][12]. - Seán Cairns has been appointed as President of Consumer Packaging for EMEA/APAC, responsible for all operations in those regions [4][5]. - Ernest Haynes has been named President of Consumer Packaging for the Americas, overseeing operations in North and South America [4][9]. Group 2: Leadership Backgrounds - Seán Cairns has over 30 years of experience in packaging, previously serving as President of Global Rigid Paper Containers and has been with Sonoco since 2008 [5][6]. - Ernest Haynes has held various leadership roles since joining Sonoco in 1997, including President of Sonoco Metal Packaging NA, and has a strong focus on operational excellence and quality [9][10]. Group 3: Operational Continuity - Rodger Fuller will continue as Chief Operating Officer and will support the transition while stepping back from his interim role as CEO of Metal Packaging EMEA [11][12]. - The transition for the Consumer Packaging segment is expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2026 [12].