Sonoco CEO Howard Coker to Retire End of 2026
Ernest D. Haynes III will succeed Coker as President and CEO effective January 1, 2027, as part of the company's succession planning.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in People
Sonoco announced that Howard Coker will retire as Director, President and CEO effective December 31, 2026. The Board of Directors appointed Ernest D. Haynes III, currently President of Global Consumer Packaging, to succeed him effective January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
Coker said it is the right time to hand leadership to the next generation, and the Board described the change as the result of its succession planning process. The transition positions Haynes, who has worked at Sonoco since 1997, to lead the company's next phase of growth and value creation.
Sonoco reported 2025 sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations and operates 260 facilities in 37 countries with about 22,000 employees. Coker's tenure spans more than 40 years at the company, while Haynes has been with Sonoco since 1997.
The players
Howard Coker
Coker is Sonoco's outgoing Director, President and CEO, who has worked at the company for more than 40 years.
Ernest D. Haynes III
Haynes is currently President of Sonoco's Global Consumer Packaging unit and has worked at the company since 1997.
Sonoco
Sonoco is a global packaging company headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina, with operations in 37 countries.
The details
Coker will continue in his role until December 31, 2026, and Haynes is slated to take over as President, CEO and director on January 1, 2027. Sonoco said it will work to ensure a seamless transition as the company focuses on sustainable growth, profitability improvement and efficient capital allocation.
Timeline
December 31, 2026: Coker's retirement becomes effective.
January 1, 2027: Haynes succeeds Coker as President and CEO.
Market Landscape
Coker's exit closes a leadership era spanning more than four decades at Sonoco, and the appointment of an internal executive who joined in 1997 extends the company's pattern of promoting from within. The move comes as Sonoco positions itself around sustainable growth and profitability in the global packaging sector.
For customers and suppliers of Sonoco's packaging products, the leadership change is not accompanied by announced changes to products, pricing or service. The company has said it will work to ensure a seamless transition as the new CEO takes over at the start of 2027.
The takeaway
Succession announced well in advance, with a sitting executive who has been at the company since 1997, signals a planned handoff rather than a change in direction. Readers tracking Sonoco should watch for any early strategic signals from Haynes ahead of his January 2027 start.
What happens next
Haynes assumes the President and CEO role on January 1, 2027, following Coker's retirement effective December 31, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more South Carolina people business news to see other leadership changes across the state.
