Sonoco Announces Senior Leadership Changes

Sonoco announced several new senior leadership changes that will become effective Jan. 3, 2017, according to M. Jack Sanders, president and EO.
 
Robert C. Tiede, 58, has been appointed EVP and COO and will have global leadership, sales and operating responsibility for all of the company’s diversified consumer, industrial and protective packaging businesses, reporting to Sanders. Since joining Sonoco in 2004, Tiede has led all of Sonoco’s global consumer-related businesses, including Rigid Paper Containers, Flexible Packaging, Plastics and Display and Packaging. During his tenure, Sonoco’s consumer-related businesses have increased sales by approximately 90% and operating profits by 120%, as the company’s consumer growth strategy developed broader global packaging and services capabilities. 
 
“Rob has been a key leader of our efforts to Re-Envision Sonoco to become a more innovative, consumer solutions-focused business,” said Sanders. “His ability to turn around underperforming businesses, drive innovation to spur organic growth and help build our capabilities through targeted acquisitions has been an important element in executing our Grow and Optimize strategy.”
 
Tiede joined Sonoco as president of Sonoco CorrFlex following the 2004 acquisition of CorrFlex Graphics’ point of purchase merchandising display and packaging business. In 2007, he became division VP and GM of the company’s Flexible Packaging division and later added responsibility for all of the company’s Consumer Packaging businesses. He became SVP in 2013 and in 2015 added responsibility for the company’s Protective Solutions and Reels businesses.
 
Prior to joining Sonoco, Tiede worked in private equity as president of Bostic Packaging/CorrFlex from 2000 to 2004 and president of Sterling International from 1998 to 2000.  He also served as EVP of operations for Graphic Packaging International, Inc., heading its flexible packaging division from 1994 to 1998.
 
A Chartered Accountant through the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, Tiede began his professional career with KPMG. Tiede is active in industry and community organizations and is the chairman of the Flexible Packaging Association and Hartsville United Way.
 
Sanders also announced the promotions of Vicki B. Arthur to SVP, Plastic Packaging and Protective Solutions; R. Howard Coker to SVP, Rigid Paper Containers and Paper/Engineered Carriers International; and Rodger D. Fuller to SVP, Paper/Engineered Carriers U.S./Canada and Display and Packaging.
 
Arthur will have responsibility for Sonoco’s plastics businesses, including flexible packaging and thermoformed, injection molded and extruded plastics, and Protective Solutions, which includes the company’s consumer durable paper-based packaging, molded foam components and temperature-assured packaging operations. Combined, these businesses have 52 operating facilities in North America, Europe and Asia with combined sales of approximately $1.5 billion and more than 4,000 associates.
 
Arthur joined Sonoco in 1984 and has held senior leadership positions in finance, including corporate treasurer, sales and operations. Prior to this promotion, she was VP, Protective Solutions. 
 
Coker has responsibility for the company’s global composite can operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, as well as paper, tube and core operations in Europe, Latin America and Australasia. Combined, these businesses have annual sales of $1.8 billion, through 110 operations and 8,000 associates. Prior to this promotion, Coker was group VP, and during his 31-year career he has held several leadership positions running global consumer-related and industrial businesses.
 
Fuller has responsibility for the company’s Paper and Engineered Carriers businesses, including 12 uncoated recycled paper mills, 24 recovered paper recycling facilities, 40 tube and core converting facilities and 16 wire and cable reels centers serving customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition, he assumes responsibility for the Company’s Display and Packaging business, which operates 25 manufacturing and packaging facilities in the United States, Mexico, Poland and Brazil. Combined, these businesses have annual sales of $1.6 billion and 8,000 associates.  Prior to this appointment, Fuller was group VP and has held leadership positions in both Consumer and Industrial businesses during his 31-year career with Sonoco.