Graphic Packaging International appoints new CEO 

USA – Graphic Packaging International, a major player in sustainable paperboard packaging solutions, revealed leadership changes and operational adjustments on Monday. 

Mike Doss, who served as president and CEO for the past decade, will step down effective December 31, 2025. 

Robbert Rietbroek, currently based in the Dallas area, assumes the role of president and CEO on January 1, 2026. 

In a securities filing, the company detailed Rietbroek’s transition, noting he will also join the board of directors, replacing Doss in that capacity.

Rietbroek brings extensive industry expertise to the position. He led Primo Brands Corp. as CEO from November 2024 until November 2025, following the merger of Primo Water Corp. with an affiliate of Blue Triton Brands.

 Before that, he held senior roles at Quaker Foods North America under PepsiCo for five years, managed leadership functions for PepsiCo in Australia and New Zealand, and oversaw Kimberly-Clark’s baby and child care operations across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. 

Over his 25-year career at Fortune 500 firms, Rietbroek has focused on consumer goods and supply chain management. 

Under his employment terms, he receives an annual base salary of US$1,350,000, plus incentives, stock awards, and other benefits. 

The agreement requires him to relocate to the Atlanta metropolitan area, near company headquarters, by September 2026.

Doss joined Graphic Packaging International in 1990, advancing to president in 2015 and CEO a year later. 

The filing provided no specific explanation for his exit. During the company’s third-quarter earnings discussion in November, Doss mentioned exploring ways to lower expenses, a step the firm is now implementing.

In parallel, Graphic Packaging International outlined measures to trim US$60 million in annual costs, targeting completion by 2026. 

This includes layoffs affecting an unspecified number of staff members next year. A news release stated the company plans to provide employment placement support and assistance to those impacted. 

The moves come alongside accelerated inventory reductions in the current fourth quarter. 

With the recent launch of a new recycled paperboard mill in Waco, Texas, in October, the firm shifted some planned 2026 cutbacks forward. 

These actions will generate a US$15 million hit to fourth-quarter earnings, on top of a previously announced US$15 million effect from broader production adjustments. 

The mill enhances the company’s capacity for eco-friendly materials, supporting its emphasis on recyclable packaging for food and beverage sectors.

Rietbroek expressed readiness for the role in a brief statement: “I look forward to driving Graphic Packaging International’s growth in sustainable solutions.” 

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE