Avery Dennison Corp., Glendale, Calif., USA, has elected Georges Gravanis as its new president, Materials Group, effective May 1. The duties were previously handled on an interim basis by Mitch Butier, president and COO. 

"Georges is a seasoned international business leader with a tremendous track record for delivering results in both mature and emerging markets," said Butier. "Under his leadership, the Materials Group Asia Pacific team has achieved strong growth by executing our strategies to deliver superior service, quality, and innovation." 

Based in Hong Kong and reporting to Butier, Gravanis will be responsible for the global pressure-sensitive materials businesses now comprised of Label and Packaging Materials, Graphics Solutions, and Reflective Solutions. The group serves more than 10,000 converters, brand owners, and retailers worldwide, and operates in more than 30 countries. 

Gravanis has served as VP and GM of the Asia Pacific division of the Materials Group since August 2010. He will continue in this role during the transition to new leadership. Previously, he held several leadership roles with Avery Dennison, including VP of sales, Roll Materials Europe, from May 2006 to July 2010; VP/GM, Roll Materials Europe Southern Region, from March 2004 to April 2006; and GM, Roll Materials France, from May 2003 to March 2004. 

Gravanis received his doctorate degree in polymer chemistry from Scientific University in Grenoble, France.