Sonoco Products Appoints Ernest Haynes As Director, President and CEO, Effective December 31; Replaces R. Howard Coker
Benzinga Newsdesk 1 hour ago
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Sonoco Products Company ("Sonoco" or the "Company") (NYSE:SON), a Mid-cap Value global packaging company, today announced that R. Howard Coker will retire from his role as Director, President and Chief
Sonoco Products Company ("Sonoco" or the "Company") (NYSE:SON), a Mid-cap Value global packaging company, today announced that R. Howard Coker will retire from his role as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective on December 31, 2026, following over 40 years with the Company. The Sonoco Board of Directors has appointed and elected Ernest D. Haynes III, currently President, Global Consumer Packaging, to succeed Coker as President and CEO and as a director of the Company. Mr. Coker will continue serving in his role until December 31, 2026.
About Ernest D. Haynes III
Mr. Haynes serves as Sonoco’s President, Global Consumer Packaging, a role he assumed in August 2026. Since joining Sonoco in 1997, Haynes has held numerous leadership roles across both the Company’s Consumer and Industrial segments, including President, Consumer Packaging, Americas; President, Sonoco Metal Packaging Division; Vice President, Rigid Paper Containers, North America; Division Vice President and General Manager of Rigid Paper and Containers, North America, and Division Vice President and General Manager of Tubes and Cores, U.S. and Canada. Prior to that, he was Director of Manufacturing for Tubes & Cores. He also chaired Sonoco’s Corporate Quality Council, reflecting his deep commitment to operational excellence and quality throughout the organization.
Mr. Haynes is passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring world-class manufacturing, quality and technical service for brands worldwide. He places significant importance on community impact through service and currently serves as a director on the Clemson University Foundation Board and the Can Manufacturers Institute. Mr. Haynes is a graduate of the Wharton School’s Executive General Management Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Clemson University and is a Life Member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.