Business News

Sonoco Promotes Brown to Head South American Operations

Tuesday 06. January 2009 - Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest global packaging companies, today announced that Jim W. Brown has been promoted to division vice president and general manager, South America, according to Jack Sanders, executive vice president, Industrial. The promotion is effective immediately.

In this position, Brown has responsibility for continuing to grow Sonoco’s industrial products and consumer packaging operations in Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Venezuela and developing other new markets throughout South America. Sonoco currently operates two uncoated recycled paperboard mills and 12 industrial converting operations as well as composite can and other rigid paper container operations in South America. Brown continues to report to Sanders and to Rodger Fuller, vice president, Global Rigid Paper and Closures, regarding the Company’s consumer packaging business. He is joining the Company’s management committee.

“Since moving to Brazil in 2002, Jim has done an excellent job in growing our industrial products and consumer packaging sales through the development of new products, services and customers,” said Sanders. “South America remains an important growth market for Sonoco, and we will continue to focus resources to extend our innovative offering of products and services.”

Brown joined Sonoco in 1985 as a production worker and moved his way up through the Company including holding several operating management positions in both the Company’s industrial and consumer businesses. He became country manager in Brazil in 2002 and was promoted to general manager, South America in 2005. He holds a B.S. degree in industrial technology from Western Washington University.