Huhtamaki appoints Tetra Pak’s Charles Héaulmé as its new CEO

Food and drink packaging firm Huhtamaki has appointed Charles Héaulmé as its new CEO, taking over from Jukka Moisio who is stepping down after leading the company for more than a decade.

Héaulmé joins the Finland-headquartered firm from Tetra Pak, where his latest position has been vice president of Europe and Central Asia since 2015. Prior to this, he worked in various business and finance leadership roles in Tetra Pak in different geographies since 1999.

The leadership transition will take place on 26 April 2019, following the company’s annual general meeting.

Huhtamaki chairman Pekka Ala-Pietilä said: “Charles Héaulmé has an impressive record of leading businesses and people with the capability to bring new perspectives and teams together with great results. Huhtamaki’s board of directors is confident that he has the vision, global experience and deep understanding of the food packaging industry to steer Huhtamaki into the next era.”

He added: “I want to thank Jukka Moisio warmly for his outstanding achievement at the helm of the company for over a decade. He lifted Huhtamaki from a very difficult position into a solid profitable growth trajectory and to a leading global food packaging company. Under Jukka Moisio’s lead, the company has been able to create significant value for the shareholders.”

Héaulmé said: “I am truly honoured to be appointed to lead this great company into the future. Huhtamaki’s development, particularly through the last ten years, has been impressive. I am committed to continuing this momentum to capture the significant opportunities that lie ahead. I look forward to working together with our team to deliver exceptional value to our customers and shareholders.”

Jukka Moisio said: “I am thankful and proud of what we have achieved together with my colleagues during these years. This is a good moment to leave; the company is in a good shape and there are many great initiatives ongoing that will provide further growth opportunities.”

In the past year, Huhtamaki has bought majority stakes in Irish firm Cup Print and Australian foodservice packaging distributor Tailored Packaging. Last May, it offloaded its confectionery portfolio, which included brands such as Jolly Rancher and Milk Duds, to US-based investment firm Highlander Partners.