Sonoco has brought its consumer packaging operations under a single global leadership structure, appointing Ernest Haynes as president of Global Consumer Packaging.
Haynes will oversee the company’s metal and paper can, closure and component businesses across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. He will report directly to Sonoco president and chief executive Howard Coker.
The integrated segment is Sonoco’s largest global business, generating approximately USD 5.2bn in annual sales. It operates 98 facilities in 25 countries and employs around 11,250 people.
“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,” Coker said.
He added that the restructuring would bring together the company’s Americas and EMEA/APAC operations to make greater use of their technology, supply chains and research and development capabilities.
Haynes previously served as president of Sonoco’s Consumer, Americas business. He also led the company’s North American metal packaging operations following Sonoco’s acquisition of Ball Metalpack in 2022.
“This new structure simplifies and improves the efficiency of our operating model enabling our teams to better collaborate, innovate and grow,” Haynes said. “I am passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring world-class manufacturing, quality and technical service for our brands worldwide.”
Haynes joined Sonoco in 1997 and has held several operational and commercial leadership roles across its consumer and industrial businesses. His previous positions include division vice-president and general manager of Rigid Paper Containers in North America and division vice-president of operations for the company’s US and Canadian tubes and cores business.
Sonoco said its Industrial Paper Packaging segment would continue to be led by James Harrell.
The company also announced that Sean Cairns, president of Sonoco EMEA/APAC, is leaving after 17 years with the group and 30 years in the packaging industry.
“I want to thank Sean for his leadership and dedication to Sonoco over the last two decades,” Coker said. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Sonoco generated net sales of USD 7.5bn from continuing operations in 2025. The company employs approximately 22,000 people across 263 operations in 37 countries.
