Top-Level Changes at Mark Andy, Comexi Group and Sonoco

Kevin Wilken Takes the Helm at Mark Andy

ST. LOUIS—January 14, 2014—Mark Andy has appointed Kevin Wilken as president and CEO of the company. The leadership is part of an established succession plan for sustainable, long-term growth, enhanced shareholder value and stronger stakeholder relationships.

Wilken joined Mark Andy in 2008 and held various roles in Engineering and Operations, spending the past two years as COO. During this period, he was responsible for launching market-leading products, evolving the company through continuous improvement and leading Mark Andy’s digital initiative. Prior to Mark Andy, he worked for Brady Corporation in engineering, program management and other leadership roles.

“I am excited about the opportunity to take over the leadership role of Mark Andy," remarked Wilken. "The company has exceptional employees around the globe and a solid growth strategy. We have worked diligently to develop market-leading products and services with five technical innovation awards in the last four years, build an un-matched service infrastructure and offering, a new consumables and supplies business. Plus, we have a great pipeline of new products such as the Versa Max, ProLED, and Mark Andy Digital Series. The company is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory into the future."

“Kevin’s dedication to high quality, market-leading products has and will guide the company to a heightened position in the industry,” stated outgoing CEO PJ Desai, who will take an active new role as executive chairman of the board.

Source: Mark Andy.

Comexi Group names Tom Cusack as New President of Comexi North America

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA—January 11, 2014—Comexi Group has appointed Tom Cusack as the new president of Comexi North America. Cusack has over twenty years experience in the fields of specialty chemicals and flexible packaging, along with multidisciplinary and global experience in innovation and product development, market analysis and sales management.

Holding a Degree in Physics from Hendrix College in Conway, AR, and MBA from the University of Chicago, Cusack takes office to lead the company strategy in the U.S. and Canada. He previously served as operations manager at Flower City Group, as sales and marketing director at Accredo, as marketing and sales director for Bobst in North America and the Asia-Pacific Region and has also held various positions of responsibility at Rohm & Haas.

Source: Comexi Group.

Sonoco Names Kraus, Christensen and O'Neal to Lead Protective Solutions Divisions

HARTSVILLE, SC—January 15, 2013—Three new appointments have been made at Sonoco. Carl Kraus has been named division vice president and general manager for Sonoco's Protective Solutions' Industrial business segment; Jeff Christensen is now division vice president and general manager for Sonoco Alloyd, a retail packaging business; and Ron O'Neal has been tapped to serve as division vice president of manufacturing, Protective Solutions.

Kraus is responsible for commercial sales, business development, marketing, customer service and product engineering, covering Sonoco's transportation, HVAC and industrial components and protective packaging business. Christensen is responsible for all aspects of Sonoco Alloyd's operations, including sales, packaging design, thermoforming of blisters, trays and displays, printing, tooling and machinery, including the company's industry leading Alloyd sealing machines. O'Neal will be responsible for all aspects of operations, including direct manufacturing, process engineering, field engineering and employee safety.

"Carl is uniquely qualified for this new leadership role, having spent the last two years managing operations for all three business segments under Protective Solutions. Jeff brings more than 20 years of experience in the industry with a proven record of consistent revenue growth. Ron also has more than 20 years of global operations experience in several of Sonoco's businesses," said Vicki Arthur, vice president for Global Protective Solutions at Sonoco.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $4.8 billion, the company has more than 19,900 employees working in 347 operations in 34 countries, serving many of the world's best-known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2013/2014 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.

Source: Sonoco.