Sonoco appoints new president/CEO

Hartsville, South Carolina-based packaging company Sonoco has announced that its board of directors has unanimously elected R. Howard Coker, the firm’s current senior vice president of its Paper/Industrial Converted Products segment, as its president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Coker, 57, succeeds Robert C. Tiede, 61, who has elected to retire from Sonoco after serving as president and CEO since April 2018. Coker also has been elected to the company’s board of directors, replacing Tiede. 

“Howard’s strong operating acumen, along with his passion for Sonoco, has played a significant role in the development of our global Industrial and Consumer businesses over his 35-year career,” James M. Micali, lead independent director of the Sonoco board, says. “He has built an outstanding track record of growth and improved business performance and is an authentic leader who is driven by Sonoco’s core values. He is well-positioned to lead Sonoco into the next decade.”

“I’m honored by the confidence the board has shown in me and embrace this opportunity,” Coker says. “I grew up in this company, so I am deeply connected to Sonoco, its culture and all the people who have helped build it into what it is today. I look forward to working with our strong leadership team, alongside our 23,000 associates globally, to build Sonoco into an even greater company to the benefit of our shareholders, our people and our communities.”

Tiede became Sonoco’s CEO in April 2018 after serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer from 2016, in addition to holding other senior leadership roles throughout his career with the organization.

He says, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my career with Sonoco, from running several Consumer businesses to working on key acquisitions. I am proud to have been part of building the Company to where it is today. I want to wish the entire Sonoco team, and especially Howard, all the success in the future.”