Sonoco Announces New Leadership of Global Businesses

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Colyer, formerly VP, Global Industrial Converting, will have responsibility for the company's Global Paper, Tubes and Cores, Reels, Protective Solutions, and related support businesses. Tiede, formerly VP, Global Flexibles and Packaging Services, will have responsibility for the company's Corporate Customer program as well as its Global Rigid Paper, Closures, Rigid Plastics, Flexibles, and Display and Packaging businesses.

"John and Rob are veteran leaders of our global packaging businesses and have demonstrated an ability to build strong businesses and effective leadership teams," said Sanders. "John has been instrumental in optimizing our global industrial-related businesses and in pursing the acquisition of Tegrant Holding Corp., which led to the formation of our growing Protective Solutions business. Rob has successfully led efforts to rebuild our Flexible Packaging and Display and Packaging businesses, while evolving our marketing efforts and serving as executive sponsor for our IT systems integration."

Colyer has 29 years of experience with Sonoco and held numerous leadership and manufacturing positions in businesses serving industrial and consumer markets. He is a graduate of Southern Oregon State University with a B.S. degree in business administration.

Tiede joined Sonoco in 2004 as head of the company's Display and Packaging business following the acquisition of CorrFlex Graphics' point-of-purchase display and supply chain management business. He was named division VP and GM of Sonoco's Flexible Packaging division in 2007 and became VP, Global Flexibles and Packaging Services in 2009. Prior to joining Sonoco, Tiede was EVP of Graphic Packaging International, president of Sterling International, and president of Bostic Packaging/CorrFlex. He received a business administration diploma from Red River Community College in Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada, and is a Canadian Charted Accountant.

In other executive appointments, Sonoco announced that Rodger D. Fuller, previously VP, Global Rigid Plastic and Corporate Customers, has been named group VP, Paper/Tubes and Cores, North America, reporting to Colyer. In this new position, effective January 1, Fuller will be responsible for improving the vertical integration of the company's North American Paper, Tubes and Cores, Recycling, and internal supply businesses.

Fuller joined Sonoco in 1985 and has held a number of senior leadership positions primarily in the company's Consumer Packaging segment, including running the global composite can, Rigid Plastics, and North America and European consumer products operations. Fuller graduated from Berry College with a B.S. degree in business administration and earned an MBA from Emory University.

With Fuller's appointment, R. Howard Coker, previously VP, Global Rigid Paper and Closures, has been given the additional responsibilities as group VP, Global Rigid Paper and Plastics, reporting to Tiede. The appointment is effective January 1. During his career at Sonoco, Coker has held numerous leadership positions, including VP, Rigid Paper and Closures, North America; division VP and GM, Sonoco Phoenix; director of sales and marketing, Rigid Paper and Plastics; and GM, Asia/Pacific, Rigid Paper, and Plastics. He is a graduate of Wofford College with a B.A. in business administration and holds an MBA in business administration from Wake Forest University.

Ronald G. Leach Jr., VP, Protective Solutions, has decided to retire from Sonoco, effective March 31, 2013. Replacing Leach will be Vicki B. Arthur, VP, Protective Solutions, reporting to Colyer. The appointment is effective April 1, 2013.

Arthur was previously VP, Global Corporate Customers, and division VP and GM of Sonoco's Kraft Corporate Customer team where she had global packaging relationship responsibility for the former Kraft Foods. She joined Sonoco in 1984 and held various finance positions, including staff VP and treasurer. Arthur graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. degree in accounting and holds an MBA in business from Duke University. She is a Certified Public Accountant.

Leach, 55, joined Sonoco after serving as president and CEO of Tegrant. He was also president and CEO of Alloyd Co. and served as a GM of TriEnd Corp. and has held several other leadership roles in the packaging industry. Leach holds a B.S. degree in packaging engineering from Michigan State University.