Sonoco announced last week that President and CEO Howard Coker will retire as of Dec. 31, having worked for the company for 41 years. He has held the top spot since 2020. Ernest Haynes, who was recently appointed president of global consumer packaging, will take over as Sonoco’s president and CEO upon Coker’s departure.
With the appointment of Stefan Brandl, Schott is combining in-depth knowledge of the company with extensive international CEO experience. His many years of service on the Schott Supervisory Board, as well as his leadership roles at globally active companies, provide a strong foundation for our shared future.
Bel Group and Dassault Systèmes are developing a digital twin of cheese to predict taste, texture, and nutritional properties before physical trials. The Laughing Cow is serving as the pilot for Bel’s digital twin technology, which is targeted for operational implementation in 2028. Digital simulations could accelerate food R&D and help scientists develop recipes tailored to consumer preferences.
The Middleby Corporation, a global leader in commercial foodservice solutions, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Steve Spittle, Chief Commercial Officer, as President, effective November 5, 2026, and to succeed Tim FitzGerald as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2027.
Kazama currently serves as chief operating officer of Hitachi’s Industrial Solutions Business Unit and executive president of the Industrial Solutions Business Division. Throughout his career with Hitachi, he has held leadership roles across industrial solutions, engineering, business development, and global operations in both Japan and Singapore.
