Business News

Sonoco Promotes Puechl to Division Vice President and General Manager – Rigid Plastics

Monday 04. August 2008 - Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced the promotion of Robert L. "Bob" Puechl to division vice president and general manager - Rigid Plastics, according to Charles Sullivan, executive vice president - Consumer.

In his new role, Puechl will head Sonoco’s global consumer and industrial rigid plastic containers, closures and engineered plastic products businesses located in North America, South America and Europe. These operations include the Company’s blow molding, injection molding and extrusion technologies which serve the health and beauty, food and food service, household and industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, textiles, wire and cable, fiber optics, plumbing and filtration markets. Puechl continues to report to Sullivan.

“Bob has extensive experience in the global plastics industry and has held several leadership positions within our plastics operations during his career,” Sullivan said. “Sonoco has significantly grown its plastic capabilities and footprint over the past few years. With Bob in this new role, we will have the opportunity to bring all of our rigid plastics operations together under one umbrella, thus structuring ourselves to meet the growing needs of our global customers.”

Puechl began his career at Sonoco in 1986. Prior to the promotion, Puechl served as division vice president and general manger – Molded Plastics and Caulk and has held several management positions in the Company’s other plastics operations. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Economics in 1978, and also holds a master’s degree in finance from Georgia State University received in 1980.

In another move within the Rigid Plastics Division, Steven W. Pierro has been named general manager of Molded Plastics – Crellin North America. Pierro, who previously served as director of operations, Molded Plastics, will be one of Puechl’s five direct reports. The other four include: Thomas A. Hutchins, division vice president of Consumer Global Operations – Rigid Plastics; Pushminder Judge, president of Matrix Packaging; Bernd Rost, managing director of Molded Plastics – Europe; and Joseph N. Bolton, general manager of Molded Plastics – Sebro Plastics.