Huhtamaki has announced the appointment of Ralf K. Wunderlich as its new President and CEO, effective January 15, 2025.
He succeeds Charles Héaulmé, who will step down after nearly six years in the role but will remain with the company through July 2025 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Pekka Vauramo, Chair of the Board, expressed gratitude for Héaulmé's leadership, which steered the company toward becoming a leader in sustainable packaging solutions. Under Héaulmé’s guidance, Huhtamaki focused on scaling its core businesses, advancing proprietary sustainable packaging innovations, and enhancing global competitiveness. "We wish Charles all the best in his next endeavors," Vauramo said.
Héaulmé, reflecting on his tenure, remarked, "The company is on a great track, and there are plenty of opportunities for growth. This is a good time for me to move on."
Ralf K. Wunderlich brings extensive experience from leading global packaging businesses. He previously served as President and Managing Director for Amcor’s Flexibles division in Asia Pacific and has held key leadership roles with LINPAC Group and Rio Tinto Alcan. Since 2018, Wunderlich has been a member of Huhtamaki's Board of Directors. Vauramo highlighted Wunderlich’s proven ability to drive business growth and lead high-performing teams, expressing confidence in his ability to elevate Huhtamaki as a leading sustainable packaging company.
Wunderlich expressed his excitement about his new role, saying, "I am thrilled to join Huhtamaki and look forward to working with the team to create the best value for our customers and shareholders."
Following his appointment, Wunderlich will step down from Huhtamaki’s Board of Directors. The company’s Global Executive Team will now include 11 members, with Wunderlich as Chair, alongside other key leaders.
Founded over 100 years ago, Huhtamaki is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, with a strong presence in 37 countries. In 2023, the company reported net sales of EUR 4.2 billion.
