Graphic Packaging appoints new president, CEO

Graphic Packaging has named Robbert Rietbroek as president, CEO and a director of the company effective Jan. 1, succeeding Michael P. Doss, who has been president and CEO since 2016.

According to Atlanta-based Graphic Packaging, Doss has mutually agreed with the company’s board of directors to step down from his roles at the company and on the board of directors Dec. 31.

Photo courtesy of Graphic Packaging

“We are pleased to appoint Robbert as Graphic Packaging's next CEO,” Graphic Packaging Chairman Philip R. Martens says. “His unique combination of extensive CPG expertise and solid track record of delivering value-creating results positions him well to drive organic growth and world-class execution and deliver strong and steady free cash flow. The board is confident that Robbert is the right leader to advance the company's progress toward achieving our Vision 2030 goals.”

Rietbroek brings more than 25 years of global leadership experience across some of the world’s largest consumer products companies.

Most recently, he served as the inaugural CEO and director of Primo Brands Corp., a Tampa, Florida-based bottled water company. Prior to working at Primo Brands, he was CEO of Primo Water Corp., a publicly traded provider of sustainable drinking water solutions, where Graphic Packaging says he drove growth, operational excellence and deepened customer and retail partner engagement. He also led Primo Water’s merger with Stamford, Connecticut-based BlueTriton Brands Inc.

Rietbroek also has held senior leadership roles at PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble in North America, Europe, South America and Australia.

“I have long admired Graphic Packaging for its sustainable packaging solutions and am honored to join at such a pivotal moment in its journey,” Rietbroek says. “Graphic Packaging has the right assets, team and capabilities to execute on its Vision 2030 priorities and I am eager to lead the company into our next phase. I look forward to working with the board and leadership team to lead this world-class team, create new and innovative solutions for customers that improve the environmental footprint and drive long-term value for our stakeholders.”

For Doss, the company says he has transformed Graphic Packaging into a packaging industry leader and expanded its scope and scale in the U.S. and Europe while completing the largest investment in company history—its recently opened recycled containerboard mill  in Waco, Texas. He has been with Graphic Packaging for 35 years, serving as CEO for a decade.

“Leading the talented Graphic Packaging team over the past decade has been a privilege and the highlight of my career,” he says. “I am thankful to all our employees for their dedication to our customers and their commitment to delivering world-class results. Together, we expanded our company's capabilities, built what we believe is the world's best sustainable consumer packaging innovation platform and created durable competitive advantage in recycled paperboard efficiency and quality. With the completion of our Vision 2025 transformation, we have everything we need to deliver on our Vision 2030 goals.

“I believe that this is the right time for this transition. Along with the board, I am confident that Robbert is the right person to step into the CEO role to build on the exceptionally strong foundation we have put in place and to take Graphic Packaging to the next level. I look forward to working with Robbert to ensure a smooth transition.”