UPM Raflatac has appointed Tim Kirchen as senior vice president for Americas Region, and Timo Kekki as vice president of Films SBU.
Image: Timo Kekki has been appointed Vice President, Global Films SBU. Photo: Courtesy of UPM Raflatac.
Both report to Antti Jääskeläinen, Executive Vice President, UPM Raflatac.
Kirchen joins UPM Raflatac from SIG Combibloc where he worked for more than 12 years and since 2013 served as Vice President, Sales & Business Development, North America. He is based at UPM Raflatac’s Americas headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
Kekki has spent the past 18 years at UPM in a variety of positions. Prior to his new leadership role over the Global Films SBU, he served as Vice President of Business Control and Strategy for UPM Raflatac. He will continue to work at UPM’s global headquarters in Helsinki, Finland.
Kirchen said: “I am excited and honoured to join UPM Raflatac, and very much look forward to working with the Americas and global teams to further strengthen our position with our customers and drive business growth.
“The pressure sensitive label market in our region continues to expand, and in the past year alone UPM Raflatac has kept up with the demand by opening new facilities in Chile, Argentina and the U.S.”
Kekki said: “As the world’s most sustainable labeling company, UPM Raflatac is labeling a smarter future beyond fossils, which includes developing innovative film labeling solutions that incorporate recycled content and promote a circular economy.
“That is why I am highly motivated for this opportunity to take UPM Raflatac’s business forward in my new role leading our Global Films SBU. We will continue to innovate and be the sustainability partner of choice.”
Jääskeläinen said: “Tim brings to UPM Raflatac valuable experience from the food and beverage packaging industry, working with brand owners and leading a sales and marketing organization in the Americas.
“Timo’s proven expertise in strategic management as well as his knowledge and long experience working with the various parts of the UPM Raflatac global organization will serve him well in his new role. I know they both will have many successes in their new roles!
Source: Company Press Release.