Packaging leader DS Smith appoints new MD for North America

NORTH AMERICA – DS Smith, a sustainable packaging leader, announced today that it has named Keith Tornes as managing director, paper, forestry and recycling for North America.

With nearly 30 years of experience in operations and plant management in several senior global leadership roles, Tornes will be responsible for the U.S. operations that produce linerboard and corrugating medium to support the company’s integrated corrugated packaging business.

“I am pleased to welcome Keith to the team and believe his extensive expertise will help us continue to strengthen the vision and leadership in North America,” said DS Smith’s Niels Flierman, Managing Director of paper, recycling and capex.

“As head of paper, forestry and recycling, he will be a critical team member to continue carrying out our company purpose of ‘Redefining packaging for a changing world.’”

Based in Riceboro, Georgia, he will oversee paper production at DS Smith’s paper mills, as well as the North American recycling and forestry operations.

In his role, Tornes will focus on growing DS Smith’s paper production and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, high-performing papers to meet changing demands in packaging and other industry sectors.

On his appointment, Tornes said: “DS Smith is recognized globally for its ambitious sustainability goals and consistently meets rising demand for innovative, easy-to-recycle paper-based products to replace plastic.

“I’m excited to combine my industry experience with DS Smith’s unique paper and packaging solutions, which serve as a solid foundation to continue to grow the business in North America.”

He joins DS Smith from Sonoco, a global packaging company where he most recently served as a segment manufacturing manager for protective solutions.

At Sonoco, he also had 15 years in plant manager roles leading facilities in several of Sonoco’s business units, including paper and protective solutions.

Before Sonoco, he was at International Paper, where he led mill operations in roles with increasing responsibility.

The change in leadership is expected to steer the company’s commitment to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions.

The company’s bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sits at the heart of this response.

Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

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