Siegwerk has announced that Christopher Van Laack, currently vice president of the business unit paper and board EMEA and liquid food packaging, will succeed Ralf Hildenbrand in the role of president Americas and member of the group executive committee, as he retires after 36 years at the company.
Mr Hildenbrand has played an instrumental role in shaping the company’s global strategy. He joined the company in 1989 as a managerial assistant in flexible packaging sales and rose through the ranks, holding several leadership positions. Since 2002, he has been part of Siegwerk’s board of management and later its group executive committee.
Mr Hildenbrand also helped steer the company’s expansion through acquisitions, such as Color Converting and the packaging ink business from SICPA. His tenure also saw him establish Siegwerk’s global technology function, as well as developing its circular economy hub.
Dr Nicolas Wiedmann, CEO of Siegwerk, said: “Ralf Hildenbrand has made a decisive contribution to Siegwerk’s success over more than three decades. His leadership and strategic vision have strengthened the company across all regions and functions, and we are truly grateful for his exceptional performance and commitment.”
Mr Van Laack, Hildenbrand’s successor, brings nearly 17 years of experience with Siegwerk to the role. His career at the company has seen him take on various leadership roles, including overseeing transport and logistics and leading the turnaround of the company’s Buedingen site in Germany. In his current role, the company said he has been instrumental in developing strategic directions for Siegwerk’s paper and board and liquid food packaging business units, and in launching the company’s circular economy coatings business unit in 2024.
Dr Wiedmann added: “Christopher van Laack has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to Siegwerk’s values. He is the perfect successor to further propel Siegwerk’s growth and innovation in the Americas region.”
The transition in Siegwerk’s group executive committee will officially take effect on 1 July, 2025.
