Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) has announced the appointment of Robbert Rietbroek as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The company has highlighted the need for new leadership based on its recent performance, which has seen a nearly 50% decline in its share price over the past year.
Despite substantial investments in sustainable consumer packaging and major developments in recycled paperboard manufacturing facilities, the company acknowledges that its recent results have not met expectations. The decline in stock price has prompted the Board to take decisive actions to restore value and deliver on its Vision 2030 goals.
Rietbroek, who has held senior leadership roles at major consumer products companies, including PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark, Procter & Gamble, and Primo Water, is expected to bring fresh perspectives and extensive consumer packaged goods (CPG) expertise to Graphic Packaging. His appointment follows a confidential search led by Korn Ferry.
To address the identified opportunities for improvement, the company has engaged AlixPartners, a specialized performance-improvement advisor with extensive CPG knowledge. The Board has laid out immediate priorities for Rietbroek, which include aligning capabilities with changing consumer trends, accelerating innovation, optimizing cost structure, and improving cash flow generation while maintaining capital allocation priorities.
The company is confident that Rietbroek's leadership will position Graphic Packaging to return to growth, improve performance, and create meaningful shareholder value. Today the company's shares have moved 1.2% to a price of $15.615. Check out the company's full 8-K submission here.
