Sonoco aligns global consumer businesses under single leadership structure

Packaging Solutions

Sonoco Products Company has 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 am 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 the global consumer packaging segment, Ernest 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.

‘I am excited by the opportunity to further grow our strong metal and paper can businesses around the world,’ said Ernest 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, he 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, US/Canada.

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 and 30 years in the packaging industry.