Sonoco Products Co., a packaging powerhouse with roots dating to 1899, announced that Chief Operating Officer Rodger Fuller will retire on February 28, 2026, capping a 40-year ascent from customer service representative to top operations executive. The Hartsville, S.C.-based company, which operates 260 facilities across 40 countries and employs about 22,500 people, plans no successor for the role. Instead, presidents of each business unit will report directly to President and CEO Howard Coker, streamlining the chain of command amid ongoing portfolio reshaping.

Fuller joined Sonoco in 1985 and climbed through roles including executive vice president of global operations, senior vice president of global consumer packaging, display and packaging and protective solutions, and senior vice president of paper and engineered carriers. Appointed COO in 2020, he oversaw global consumer and industrial operations, diversified businesses, information technology, supply management, automation and robotics. His tenure coincided with transformative deals, including the $3.8 billion acquisition of Eviosys in December 2024, which bolstered Sonoco’s metal packaging footprint in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Rodger is an exceptional business operator and widely respected leader in the paper and packaging industry. He has always been willing to take on new challenges and drive for improved operational and financial performance for our company,” Coker said in the company’s January 20, 2026, press release. Fuller reflected, “It’s been my honor to work alongside so many talented people at Sonoco and participate in the extraordinary progress we have achieved during my tenure in transforming the company into a global leader in consumer and industrial metal and paper packaging.”

Fuller’s Path from Entry-Level to Operations Helm

Fuller’s career exemplifies Sonoco’s internal promotion culture. Starting in customer service, he took senior leadership posts in North America and Europe before his 2020 elevation. Beyond corporate duties, he served on boards for the Sonoco Foundation, The Paper and Packaging Board, American Forest & Paper Association, Hartsville United Way, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Foundation, and engaged with the American Heart Association. A Berry College business administration graduate with an Emory University MBA, Fuller’s industry stature amplified Sonoco’s voice in sustainability and operations forums, as noted by Packaging Dive.

The retirement arrives as Sonoco touts 2025 accolades: named one of America’s Most Admired and Responsible Companies by Newsweek and a USA TODAY Climate Leader. These honors underscore the company’s “Better Packaging. Better Life.” push amid investor scrutiny on earnings and debt.

Sonoco’s leadership page still lists Fuller as COO and interim CEO for Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA, reflecting the announcement’s recency, per the company’s site.

Pivotal Role in Eviosys Integration and Crisis Leadership

Fuller’s recent highlight: stepping in as interim CEO of Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA after Tomás López’s sudden death in June 2025. López, former Eviosys CEO, led the unit post-acquisition. “While Tomás’ passing comes as a shock, Rodger will provide leadership stability working with the SMP EMEA leadership team to continue our vision of building the largest, most sustainable global metal packaging enterprise,” Coker stated then, according to Packaging Dive. Fuller relinquished the interim role late 2025 following a November restructuring that merged metal packaging and rigid paper containers into one consumer packaging segment with new geographic leaders.

In Q3 2025 earnings calls, Fuller detailed EMEA performance, noting food can units up 3.5% year-over-year despite footprint rationalization. He projected procurement synergies acceleration into 2026, delayed by the late Eviosys close, as reported by Packaging Dive. Executives targeted $100 million annual run-rate synergies by end-2026, with about $30 million realized that year.

The move aligns with Sonoco’s post-restructuring efficiency drive. Business unit presidents now feed directly to Coker, potentially sharpening focus as Q4 2025 results loom—slated for release around February 16, 2026, ahead of an Investor Day on February 17.

Portfolio Overhaul Amid Deal-Making Spree

Sonoco’s transformation under Fuller and Coker featured bold transactions. The Eviosys buy vaulted metal cans, but debt piled up—prompting divestitures. In April 2025, Sonoco sold its flex-therm business to Toppan Holdings for $1.8 billion. November 2025 saw the ThermoSafe unit—generating over $240 million in 2024 sales and $50 million adjusted EBITDA—divested to Arsenal Capital Partners for up to $725 million ($650 million upfront plus $75 million earnout). Proceeds targeted a 3.4x-3.5x net leverage ratio by year-end 2025, per Packaging Dive and StockTitan.

Q3 2025 delivered record top- and bottom-line results, driven by metal packaging and industrial paper, though full-year guidance dipped due to European and Asian headwinds. Coker emphasized cost reductions and 2026 product launches.

Analysts eye the COO elimination for governance shifts, with TipRanks noting streamlined accountability but potential oversight gaps, as in its January 20 coverage.

Flatter Structure in Competitive Arena

Eliminating the COO layer mirrors industry trends toward agility in packaging, where rivals like Ball Corp. and Crown Holdings navigate sustainability mandates and supply chain volatility. Sonoco’s consumer packaging now splits geographically, with transitions wrapping by Q1 2026. Recent CFO Paul Joachimczyk’s arrival in June 2025 and Roger Schrum’s investor relations return bolster the C-suite.

X posts from outlets like Packaging Dive and Canmaking News echo the announcement, with minimal broader chatter as of January 23, 2026.

For insiders, Fuller’s exit tests Sonoco’s bench strength post-deals. With Q4 results and Investor Day ahead, Coker’s direct oversight could accelerate execution on synergies and debt reduction, positioning the firm in metal and paper cans amid global demand shifts.