Huhtamäki appoints new President and CEO

Ralf K. Wunderlich | Photo credit: Huhtamäki

Finnish single-use cup and packaging giant Huhtamäki has appointed Ralf K. Wunderlich as President and CEO, effective 15 January 2025. 
 

Wunderlich, a member of Huhtamäki’s Board of Directors since 2018, will succeed Charles Héaulmé in the role. In a press release, Huhtamäki said Héaulmé will ‘be available as needed’ until July 2025 to secure a smooth leadership transition. 

German national Wunderlich brings extensive packaging industry experience to the position. He held several roles at Canadian aluminium mining and production firm Rio Tinto Alcan 1993-2007, including as President from 2005, before taking up positions at UK-based LINPAC Packaging and Italy’s Nordmeccanica.  

Wunderlich served as President and Managing Director of packaging specialist Amcor 2010-2016 and has most recently has since served on the boards of Klöckner Pentaplast, Shepherd Building Group, Essentra PLC and AptarGroup since 2009. 

“Ralf has a wealth of experience in leading international packaging businesses, outstanding operational experience and capability to bring high-performing teams together with great results. He has a solid focus on growing businesses, both organically and through M&A. Huhtamäki’s Board of Directors is confident that Ralf has all capabilities to take Huhtamäki to the next level in its strategic journey to a leading sustainable packaging company,” said Pekka Vauramo, Chair of the Board, Huhtamäki. 

Founded in 1920, Huhtamäki is a major global supplier of disposable coffee cups for Horeca, catering and vending operators. With distribution across 37 markets, the Espoo-based business also produces packaging solutions for hot food-to-go, bakery products, ready meals, cosmetics and confectionery.  
 

Huhtamäki’s sales in the first nine months of 2024 fell 2% year-on-year to €3.1bn ($3.15bn) while adjusted EBIT increased 8% to €307m ($316m).